The Rapeseed Flower Festival is set to bloom on Soleil Hill, a park in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, from December 18 when around 100,000 bright yellow rapeseed flowers will shine across the flower beds.

Turnip Rape (Photo taken December 1, 2020)

Soleil Hill is a 5,000㎡ rolling expanse in the Miura Peninsula in Yokosuka, Kanagawa. The turnip rape is an early springtime flower that is blooming around a month earlier this December due to there not having been many typhoon disasters in the area this year, which will welcome the flower’s peak blossom.

Photo taken last year with 100,000 turnip rapes, Sagami Bay, and Mount Fuji in the shot

The flowers bloom for a long period from December to March, around 100 days, and the incredible view can be enjoyed with Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji in the background.

Rapeseed Flower Festival

Photo taken last year at the of December with the rapeseeds in full bloom

The Rapeseed Flower Festival will run from December 18, 2020 to March 31, 2020 in line with the turnip rape’s peak blossom. Visitors can enjoy a selection of food inspired by the flower beds and view as well as take part in a variety of programs.

Mount Fuji & Rapeseed Curry | ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

The Mount Fuji & Rapeseed Curry is inspired by the view of Mount Fuji and the flower beds during a sunset as represented by the red curry.

Rapeseed Herbarium Workshop | ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

Visitors can try making their own rapeseed herbarium in a bottle at the crafts workshop too.

Shueisha announced last month that JUMP magazine’s annual festival JUMP Festa is heading online for ‘Jump Festa 2021 ONLINE’ which will run from December 19, 2020 to December 20, 2020. The application needed to access the festival was finally made available on Wednesday (December 9), as was the timetable.

Concept Movie

Jump Festa 2021 ONLINE App

The festival can be attended either by download the Jump Festa 2021 ONLINE app (ジャンプフェスタ2021 ONLINE) or by going on the event’s official website. However, certain content is restricted on the website. The festival takes place on Jump Festa Island, a virtual space where visitors can access content related to Jump-related media from the free-to-access library to the theatre, an online shop, and more. There’s also a zoo area, photo spots, and mini games. If visitors use the ‘attend with a friend’ function or chat function, they can also take a special commemorative photo as well as watch the stage performances.

22 Original Art Pieces

Jump Festa is a celebration of five manga magazine publications by Shueisha: Weekly Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump+, V Jump, Jump SQ., and Saikyo Jump. Each of the five publications have had 22 of their own original characters drawn with original artwork for this online event which people can use as their avatar to roam around Jump Festa Island.

2-Day Stage Events

42 stage performances will take place on December 19 and 20. Content will include live streams from special guests at Makuhari Messe, videos, and more. There are three virtual stages to watch: the Jump Super Stage, Jump Studio, and Jump Amusement Tower.

Jump Super Stage

The Jump Super Stage is centred on anime and media adaptations of Jump manga. Performances will be streamed like from Makuhari Messe.

December 19, 2020

10:00-10:30 / Dr.STONE
11:30-12:00 / World Trigger
13:00-13:30 / Jujutsu Kaisen
14:30-15:00 / Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
16:20-16:50 / My Hero Academia

December 20, 2020

10:00-10:30 / World’s End Harem
11:30-12:00 / Black Clover
13:00-13:30 / The New Prince of Tennis
14:30-15:00 / Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
16:10-16:50 / One Piece

Jump Amusement Tower

This stage is centred on V Jump and Saikyo Jump. It will give the latest information on Jump games live from Makuhari Messe.

December 19, 2020

9:30~ / Jump Festa 2021 ONLINE Introduction Stage – Presented by V Jump Play
11:00~ / One Piece Bounty Rush Jump Festa 2021 Battle Stage ONE PIECE
12:20~ / Naruto & Boruto Game New Information
14:00~ / Yu-Gi-Oh! New Information JF 2021 Stage
15:50~ / JUMP FORCE Special Stage

December 20, 2020

9:30~ / Jump Festa 2021 ONLINE Introduction Stage – Presented by V Jump Play
11:00~ / Dragon Ball App Stage
12:30~ / Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai Cross Blade Special Stage
14:00~ / Yu-Gi-Oh! New Information JF 2021 Stage
15:00~ / Super Dragon Ball Heroes Ultimate Stage

Jump Stage

This stage is centred on Weekly Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump+, and ,Jump SQ. It will feature video footage.

December 19, 2020

9:10~ / Digital DJ Special Program
9:45~ / Kemono Jihen
10:30~ / Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
11:05~ / Haikyu!!
12:00~ / Super HxEros
12:35~ / Bōkyaku Battery
13:30~ / Blue Exorcist
14:05~ / Chainsaw Man
14:40~ / “Platinum End” Special
15:05~ / Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
15:50 / Gintama

December 20, 2020

9:10~ / Weekly Shonen Jump New Hero Stage
9:45~ / Hetalia World☆Stars
10:30~ / Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc
11:10~ / Moriarty the Patriot
12:00~ / 2.5D no Yuuwaku
12:35~ / Blood Blockade Battlefront Back 2 back
13:10~ /  SPY x FAMILY
13:45~ / Showa Otome Otogibanashi
14:30~ / 2nd Nationwide One Piece Knowledge King Battle Final Stage
15:05~ /  BLEACH/BURN THE WITCH
15:50~ / The Promised Neverland

JF Coins From 24 Jump Series

On Jump Festa Island, visitors can collect JF Coins from 24 different Jump series from across the five magazines which they can spend on mini games to earn limited-edition items, enjoy the Capsule Character Tower, and more. Some spots also give Rare Coins.

There and three original mini games to play. Gain a high score and earn one of twelve stamps.

Jump Photo Spots From 24 Series

Take a photo at one of the many photo spots that recreate famous scenes from 24 different Jump series. Have your character avatar look like they’re part of the scene.

TikTok x Jump Festa Special Collaboration

This year, Jump Festa is collaborating with TikTok with its own official account as well as original video effects. There will also be a special TikTok LIVE stream in collaboration with the festival before the start date on December 18 at 19:00 (JST).

© SHUEISHA Inc. All rights reserved.

Shueisha has announced that JUMP magazine’s annual festival JUMP Festa is heading online for ‘JUMP Festa 2021 ONLINE’ which will run from December 19, 2020 to December 20, 2020.

JUMP Festa is a celebration of five manga publications by Shueisha: Weekly Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump+, V Jump, Jump SQ., and Saikyo Jump. This year marks its 22nd run, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is unable to be held in real life and so will be held online for the first time. To enter, you can download the JUMP Festa app or head on over to the event’s official website.

JUMP Festa Island – A Virtual Venue

JUMP Festa Island is where JUMP Festa 2021 ONLINE will take place, a virtual space where visitors can access content related to JUMP-related media from the free-to-access library to the theatre, an online shop, and more. There’s also a zoo area, photo spots, and mini games.

Original characters created for JUMP Festa Island

Each of the five magazine publications have had their own original characters drawn for this online event. More details will be revealed about these characters in the coming weeks, but they can run around, pose, and more.

© SHUEISHA Inc. All rights reserved.

US rapper Dumbfoundead will spearhead the DOUBLE HAPPINESS Global Holiday Festival, a global online music festival set to stream for free via Eastern Standard Time on December 2 and 3 depending on where you live. The event will welcome performances from top Asian artists.

Over 30 artists will perform across 8 hours. Headliners include music duo NxWorries, eight-member South Korean idol group ATEEZ, K-pop artist CHUNGHA, and others. Atarashii Gakko no Leaders a.k.a. ATARASHII GAKKO! from Japan will also perform.

▼Line-Up

Ardhito Pramono、Atarashii Gakko no Leaders a.k.a. ATARASHII GAKKO!、ATEEZ、Audrey Nuna、AUGUST 08、Balming Tiger、BVNDIT、CHAI、Chi Pu、CHUNG HA、Dumbfoundead、Dvwn、Fern.、Guapdad 4000 、Jason Dhakal、Joey Alexander、Josephine Alexandra、Kiana V、Leila Alcasid、 MADDOX 、Massiah、、Milli、Numcha 、NxWorries 、Pamungkas、RIRI、Seori、Stephanie Poetri・The Resonanz Children’s Choir Alumni、warrenisyellow、Wolftyla 、Year of the Ox、Ylona Garcia 、Yuna

The Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Association will host this year’s Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, which will be the 22nd run, to help support the tourism industry in the northern region of Fuji which has seen a great impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With much less people travelling to Japan during the pandemic, and the virus having continued for a long time, the Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Association is instead focusing on travellers within the country by hosting various events that can be enjoyed at Fujikawaguchiko.

All the necessary precautions will be taken at this year’s festival, including taking people’s temperature upon arrival, the mandatory wearing of face masks, alcohol gel being available at the site, and more. This will protects not only the locals but sightseers too, and so cooperation is being asked of everyone visiting.

At this year’s festival, visitors can look forward to the popular Momiji Tunnel of maple trees which will be lit up at sunset until 10:00pm. The beautiful autumn colours can be enjoyed with Mount Fuji in the background. There will also be food, souvenirs, and a variety of activities to be enjoyed.

The Momiji Tunnel is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Yamanashi during autumn and is nothing less than Instagram-worthy.

Japanese food tech company Cookpad Inc. is set to co-host the “P.O.P” Fes Food Court at Japanese pop group Perfume’s upcoming Perfume Online Present (“P.O.P”) Festival which will be held on September 21, 2020. Cookpad has also opened applications for fans to submit the recipes that they want Perfume to eat at the festival

“P.O.P” Festival Breakdown

With concerts and music festivals forced to be cancelled or postponed as a result of COVID-19, Perfume too had to cancel their Japan dome tour. September 21, 2020 marks the 15th anniversary since Perfume made their major debut, and the 20th anniversary since they formed. Since their tour was cancelled, they still wanted to celebrate in some way, which is how the “P.O.P” Festival was conceived. The online event will feature both free and paid content with a full timetable for the day.

“P.O.P” Fes Food Court

Food is an indispensable part of music festivals, so the event will have its own interactive “P.O.P” Fes Food Court which encourages fans to submit the recipes that they want Perfume to eat. The chosen recipe will be displayed on the food court page of the event’s website and Perfume will actually make and eat it in a video. Fans can prepare their own food at the same time so they can sit down and eat with Perfume. Details on submitting can be found on the official website in Japanese.

Perfume | Comment

“We’re happy to announce the Perfume Online Present Festival  which will take place on the 15th anniversary of our major debut, September 21. We’re starting applications for the food court, so we’re waiting for your submissions. We’ll pick one recipe and actually try making it ourselves! We’re going to get found out that we actually did this during lockdown period, but we also think it’s good for you to see our normal lives, so we will give it out all and hope you enjoy.”

Noryo Matsuri is a popular summer festival held every August at Kanda Shrine in Tokyo, bringing in over 40,000 visitors every year to enjoy a variety of fun and exciting activities like the big bon-odori dance to anime songs, live performances, events in collaboration with anime series and more. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

However, that isn’t stopping the festival from being held in some sort of form. In fact, the festival organisers are teaming up with Animal Crossing: New Horizons to bring the festival to the Nintendo Switch title in Japan.

Players can even get their hands on some original Kanda Shrine outfits, as well as visit Kanda Shrine Island by using Luna’s dreaming service in game (until September 30).

JR Kyushu has signed a promotional license agreement with Walt Disney Japan to launch the “GO! WAKU WAKU ADVENTURE with PIXAR” project, which will see the shinkansen bullet trains decorated in characters from the Pixar animated filmography starting on September 12, 2020.

The project comes at a time when Pixar celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original Toy Story film, which released back in 1995 as the first entirely computer-animated feature film.

New details have been released for the upcoming project, including the unveiling of the key visual, the content of the collaboration, campaigns that will be held, and limited-edition merchandise which will be sold.

Key Visual

The key visual is a colourful Pixar creation which is shaped to look like the seven prefectures that make up Kyushu—Japan’s south-westernmost island where the JR Kyushu WAKU WAKU ADVENTURE Shinkanen bullet train will run.

Character Visuals

Poster Design

All major stations along the JR Kyushu Line display the key visual along with the above-pictured poster featuring various Pixar characters. Each of Kyushu’s seven major prefectural train stations listed below will also have additional posters for different Pixar films.

Hakata Station: Toy Story
Saga Station: Up
Nagasaki Station: Finding Nemo
Oita Station: The Incredibles
Kumamoto Station: Cars
Kagoshima-Chūō Station: Monsters, Inc.
Miyazaki Station: Wall-E

Tabloid Distribution

For illustrative purposes only. Distribution from September 12, 2020.

At all major stations running the JR Kyushu Line, commuters can get their hands on a free tabloid inspired by the “My Adventure Book” from the Pixar film Up. The content of the tabloid features information related to the collaboration and where you can find Pixar characters at stations throughout Kyushu, so you too can have your own adventure.

Photo Spots

Cars photo spot

The seven JR Kyushu prefectural stations will also have their own photo spots where you can snap a picture. You’ll also spot Woody and Buzz dolls and Hakata Station and Sully and Mike ones at Kagoshima-Chūō Station.

Participating Stations: Hakata Station, Saga Station, Nagasaki Station, Oita Station, Kumamoto Station, Kagoshima-Chūō Station, Miyazaki Station

Special Site & Official Instagram

A special site opened which features the departure schedule for the JR Kyushu WAKU WAKU ADVENTURE Shinkansen, details on campaigns, the latest details on the collaboration, and more. Waku Waku ADVENTURE now also has its own Instagram page which includes reports on event, pictures of merchandise, and other details.

Special Movie

A special collaborative movie will be released in September centred on the themes of Pixar’s movies such as bonds between people, family, friends, and adventure. It will be shown at JR Kyushu stations and the special site.

Campaign: Find the Pixar Ball

Original sticker designs

If you spot a station staff member at any of the JR Kyushu prefectural stations wearing a Pixar ball badge, call out to them and they’ll give you one of seven possible Pixar stickers as pictured above. All seven can be put into your “My Adventure Book,” so try collecting them all!

Participating Stations: Hakata Station, Saga Station, Nagasaki Station, Oita Station, Kumamoto Station, Kagoshima-Chūō Station, Miyazaki Station

*Depending on the time, platform staff may not be wearing the badges

*Stickers are available while supplies last

GO! WAKU WAKU ADVENTURE Digital Stamp Rally

A digital stamp rally will be held on the official JR Kyushu app. Board the JR Kyushu WAKU WAKU ADVENTURE Shinkansen, visit JR Kyushu Stations, and get some original stamps.

1st Stamp Rally: September 12, 2020 – January 31, 2021

Limited Edition Merchandise

Merchandise lineup

A special collection of merchandise has been created featuring designs of Kyushu and the Pixar characters. The items will be sold at shops around JR Kyushu stations and online in Japan.

Release Date: September 12, 20202
Merchandise List: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/train/wakuwaku-adventure/goods/

Those who ride the very first departing train will receive an original Pixar design train ticket. The Tsubame 363 train bound for Kagoshima-Chūō Station will depart from Hakata Station at 12:19 on September 12, 2020.

©Disney/Pixar

The Pokémon Company’s “Pokémon Virtual Fest” is now open for business in Japan and is set to run until August 31, 2020. A trailer was posted on the official Pokémon YouTube channel in promotion of the event.

Pokémon Virtual Fest | Promotional Video

Pokémon Virtual Fest is accessible by using the ‘cluster’ app on mobile or PC. Pokémon Trainers can look forward to jumping into a fully-realised Pokémon world with themed attractions, events, and much more. More content will be added to the virtual theme park in the coming weeks.

Being a theme park, Pokémon Virtual Fest of course has its own attractions like the Pokémon Ferris Wheel, the Galarian Weezing Train which gives players a tour of the park, and more. Players can watch Pokémon Sword and Shield Pokémon battles on the stage, complete various escape games, visit the store area, go to the beach, and much more. For a full run-down of the event, check out our detailed breakdown here.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター, and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.
© 2017 Cluster, Inc.

The Pokémon Company has announced the opening of a virtual theme park―Pokémon Virtual Fest―in Japan which will open from August 12 to 31 this year.

Pokémon Virtual Fest will be accessible via the ‘cluster’ app on mobile or PC. Pokémon Trainers can look forward to jumping into a fully-realised Pokémon world with themed attractions, events, and much more. Let’s take a look at just some of the content players can look forward to experiencing.

Entrance

The first place that users will come to when entering Pokémon Virtual Fest is the Entrance. Just like a real theme park, Pokémon Virtual Fest has its own proper entrance too, beckoning players to the fun that is to be had. This first virtual area will feature holograms of Pikachu, Polygon, and other Pokémon. At the centre of the entrance is a board which displays the results of players’ who have completed missions in the park.

Avatars

Choose your own avatar from Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. More avatars are in the works to be added to the roster. Users can take photos in the virtual space too. Find an ideal spot and snap some pictures with friends.

Mission

The missions are in the style of an escape game. Created by escape game specialists SCRAP, players must figure out how to escape the room which will earn them a clear. There is the “Maze Mission” where you must navigate through twists and turns while answering questions, the “Word Puzzle Mission” where you must collect letters scattered around the room to solve the puzzle, and the “Riddle Missions” where you must decipher codes to figure out the riddle.

Theme Park

When players approach the gate, they are welcomed by an enormous Pikachu. As they walk around the park, checking every nook and cranny, they may even find Pokémon hidden here and there.

Attractions

Since this is a theme park, you’ve got to have attractions. At Pokémon Virtual Fest, there is a Pokémon Ferris Wheel, the Galarian Weezing Train which gives players a tour of the park, and many more.

Store Area

Numerous shops will line the park where players can get themselves a range of virtual souvenirs, ice cream, and other fun summertime things.

Beach Area

There’s even a beautiful beach in the park. Players are invited to listen to the sounds of the waves while doing some beach athletics on the water with friends, take photos, and make some great summer memories.

Event Stage

Sat underneath the giant Pikachu monument is a stage where a flurry of exciting events will take place. Players can watch Pokémon Sword and Shield Pokémon battles amongst other things. And from August 29 to 31, a special event will take place which includes a Pikachu dance show, fireworks, and more.

Pokémon Virtual Fest will open from August 12 to 31 in Japan.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター, and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.
© 2017 Cluster, Inc.
*Photos are of a product still in development

a-nation, a series of summer concerts held in Japan which has a record number of over 6.1 million attendees, is heading online for the first time for “a-nation online 2020.”

a-nation is organised by Avex Group, the biggest independent record label in Japan, and was first held back in 2002. This year will mark its 19th run, and it will be streamed live for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original festival was scheduled for May 2020, but after much consideration Avex Group decided to take it online.

Numerous stages will be set up and users will be free to select which acts they watch. The event will be available to watch for concertgoers not only in Japan, but around the world. Don’t miss this chance to see lots of popular Japanese artists live from the comfort of your own home!

OMOTENASHI BEATS has announced that it is set to serve Japanese culture to the world with its new DJ party event “OMOTENASHI MATSURI” which is set to stream live on Twitch on June 7, 2020.

OMOTENASHI BEATS is a project that fuses Japanese music with DJ culture. Its concept is to get people visiting Japan to experience Japanese culture and to deliver Japanese music to the rest of the world.

The event will be completely free to watch to everyone around the world on Twitch.

OMOTENASHI MATSURI / Official Trailer　

The DJ line-up OMOTENASHI MATSURI is as follows:

DJ KOO: A resident DJ with a career spanning 40 years who is also the leader of Japanese pop band TRF.
Motsu: Former member of m.o.v.e, a band with many a hit song including the Around the world which was used in the anime series Initial D.
DJ Arisa Komiya: Also known as the voice actress of Aqours member Dia Kurosawa in Love Live! Sunshine!!
DJ Zu from i☆Ris: A member of i☆Ris, a music unit formed of voice actresses and idols.
Shinichiro Kamio: The voice of Rio Mason Busujima from rap project Hypnosis Mic.
DJ Miyu Takagi: The voice actress for Shinobu Inuyose from the multimedia project D4DJ.
MIMORI from kolme: A member of kolme who write and produce their own music.
Tsunko: A cosplayer, anime song DJ, and the voice actress of Miyake Aoi from D4DJ.
Asanyan: DJ and multi-talent from social media.
DJ CAESAR from TOKYO: Produced Mobile Suit Gundam 40th Anniversary BEST ANIME MIX and is a huge name in the anime song scene.

10 big names will grace the line-up of the event. This will also be the first time Shinichiro Kamio and MIMORI have performed as DJs.