Shibuya LOFT opened its new ‘2foods’ cafe on April 15 which serves junk food healthily.

2foods uses absolutely no eggs or milk in their menu – everything is plant based and healthy, making it a haven for vegan foodies, especially in Japan where there aren’t as many vegan places as other countries. What’s better is that everything’s reasonably priced too. There are around 60 menu items to choose from, like curry and soba as well as desserts, organic coffees and lattes, cold pressed juice, and more.

Artist’s rendition of the cafe

Curry | ¥1,023 (Tax Included)

A hearty and spicy curry served with brown rice which is better for digestion.

Tantanmen Ramen | ¥968 (Tax Included) | Shibuya LOFT exclusive

A ramen soup with 100% gluten free rice flour noodles, soy milk, sesame seeds, peanuts, soy meat, and other healthy and natural ingredients.

Egg Doughnut Sandwich | ¥528 (Tax Included)

A vegan egg sandwich that doesn’t use eggs but tastes just like them.

Gateau Chocolate | ¥528 (Tax Included)

A rich chocolate gateau made with brown rice powder and soy cream.

CHOCOLATE Inc. is set to open the BLUE HAMHAM POP UP STORE at Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo on May 14 and Shinsaibashi PARCO in Osaka on June 4. The pop-up shops are centred on Arimura Taishi’s characters BLUE HAMHAM.

BLUE HAMHAM are four music-eating space hamster brothers from a planet called ‘Proxima b.’ Their animations on Twitter, TikTok, and other social media platforms have garnered over 300 million views worldwide. In 2020, they began collaborating with overseas artists. Their musical animations have garnered popularity across the globe.

At the pop-up shop, fans can get their hands on over 30 new BLUE HAMHAM items. This also marks the brothers’ first pop-up shop in Osaka. From exclusives to free novelties, there’s plenty to enjoy.

At the store, fans will also be greeted by four 1-meter tall BLUE HAMHAM statues, the only ones in the world. There will be a display showing their animations, a chance to learn about the characters, and more.

©CHOCOLATE Inc.

India-ink painter CHiNPAN is collaborating with Rokuyon, who is known for helping to create a range of unique accommodations such as MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS, to launch a new kind of hotel experience in Harajuku beginning on April 23, 2021.

The project’s name is Harajuku Yofukashi Art Exhibition, with yofukashi being Japanese for ‘staying up late.’ It will invite a new artist or creator on board every one or two months as an opportunity for them to showcase their works.

One of the art pieces

Wall art

Works displayed in the living space

The bedroom with art pieces against the walls and on the ceiling

Private area

MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS Series

MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS is our own hotel site located in the heart of Harajuku’s tourism: it is within walking distance of Takeshita-dori (Takeshita Street), Meiji-dori, the Ura-Harajuku area, and Omotesando. This makes it the ideal place to stay for travellers visiting Harajuku.

SAKURA | More details here

ORIGAMI | More details here

DOSUKOI | More details here

With art events and exhibitions cancelled or severely restricted due to the pandemic, this project serves as a get promotional opportunity for artists to display their works and for art lovers to appreciate them. It aims to grow and become a new way to enjoy art.

Japanese apparel brand WIND AND SEA opened orders for a new collection in collaboration with the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen on Saturday.

The collection includes t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and pullover hoodies featuring character designs from the popular anime series coupled with WIND AND SEA’s logo.

Nippon Animation has announced the Maruko & Coji-Coji Fest, two pop-up shops that will open at Kita-Senju Marui in Tokyo and Kobe Harborland umie in Hyogo on April 20 and 29 respectively.

Inside the Kita-Senju Marui store

New merchandise

Acrylic Key Rings | ¥880 Each (Tax Included)

Sticker | ¥385 (Tax Included)

Postcard | ¥275 (Tax Included)

Mugs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

Bonus Item: Wrapping paper bag

The Maruko & Coji-Coji Happy Fest welcomes an all new series of original artwork themed around snacks and sweets. Fans will be able to enjoy pre-sales of new merchandise, and all who spend over ¥2,000 (tax included) will be given a free wrapping paper bag.

Ueni Trading has opened pre-orders for a new reed diffuser set by RADSKY, a perfume brand with SKY-HI acting as the brand ambassador. The set is available to pre-order at LOFT, both in-store and online.

RADSKY Sexual Healing Coffret Set | ¥3,850 (Tax Included)

The new fragrance gets its name from the title of SKY-HI’s new song Sexual Healing. The fragrances captures the fragrance of a ‘sexy man’ with tempting white musk, which users can have around their home wherever they like with the sleek reed diffuser bottle which has a handwritten-style logo on it. The clear case is also made from a biodegradable material.

The first fragrance collaboration continues to enjoy sales

SKY-HI’s first collaboration with the brand was the RADSKY Neon Eau De Toilette perfume which is still enjoying sales for its “Night Fruity” aroma. It’s a more natural, refreshing smell balanced by sweet fruity notes.

An exhibition centred on the Devilman manga series by Go Nagai, the 1972 Devilman anime adaptation, and Netflix’s 2018 DEVILMAN crybaby anime adaptation, is set to take place on the online exhibition platform Virtual Utopia from April 28 to May 31.

What to look forward to

*Visuals are of an exhibition still in development

*Visuals are of an exhibition still in development

A devilish experience split into 11 areas

Devilman has been entertaining readers and anime-lovers for almost half a decade. The exhibition will depict the comparisons between humans and demons of the series in 11 different areas, each recreating scenes that are sure to be instantly-recognisable to fans.

Main Area: Heart of a Demon / Heart of a Human

The main portion of the exhibition is split into four areas which fans will find themselves going back to numerous times, and in different orders, giving each visitor their own unique perspectives and interpretations. There’s also a hidden area which can only be accessed by those who have seen the ‘special exhibit.’ There’s also a free-to-enter area with messages from the creators.

Go deeper into the VR Devilman Exhibition with the voice guide
Forget your usual guides, this exhibition incorporates voiceover guides to walk people through the exhibition. For an extra fee, fans can have Megumi Han, who plays Miki Makimura in DEVILMAN crybaby, and Tomokazu Seki, who for this exhibition is playing Psycho Jenny, guide them through the different areas.

*Visuals are of an exhibition still in development

Users can download the Virtual Utopia app for free, and the exhibition can be attended even without a VR headset. There will also be talks by the author and other notable people in the industry which can be watched live on YouTube, so anyone can get involved.

Ground Y T-Shirt Collaboration

The exhibition is also collaborating with Yohji Yamamoto’s fashion brand Ground Y on six original tees.

 ©永井豪／ダイナミック企画
TVアニメ版「デビルマン」©ダイナミック企画・東映アニメ―ション
DEVILMAN crybaby        ©Go Nagai-Devilman Crybaby Project
©VRデビルマン展実行委員会

Japanese actor Takuya Kimura is a long-time lover of the sunglasses brand Ray-Ban which has led to a collaboration between the two on a new Japan-exclusive model which will be limited to 200 units. The sunglasses will be sold at Ray-Ban Store SHIBUYA and Ray-Ban Japan’s online store on April 24.

Ray-Ban x Takuya Kimura Collaboration Video

Each of the 200 sunglasses have unique serial numbers on the frames together with Takuya Kimura’s initials engraved by hand. They also come in a special box featuring an original case, cleaning kit, and a card featuring the same unique serial number.

Takuya Kimura | Interview

Q: What are your thoughts and impressions on Ray-Ban?
A: For me, Ray-Ban and sunglasses are equals and inseparable. It’s a sunglasses brand worn by characters in movies I’ve seen and by musicians I like, so I’ve inevitably come to like them too.

Q: What were you going for with the RAY-BAN x TAKUYA KIMURA collaboration?
A: The first thing was for the glasses to be something I would want to wear – something I’d like to own. Another thing is that in Japanese society, it’s rude to wear sunglasses in front of your superior, so we tried making them lighter so even if you’re wearing them someone can see your eyes.

Q: What do you like about the Aviator limited-edition models?
A: They use photochromic lenses which darken when exposed to UV. I wear them when talking in a room, and I can step outside in them as they are since they will become dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays to protect your eyes.

Q: Is there a movie scene or something where you thought sunglasses looked cool?

A: Around the time I was in middle school, I saw Ray-Ban’s teardrop sunglasses in the American film Top Gun. A band member from my favourite rock band also wore them and performed in them as well as had photos of him in them on CDs and records. I really admired those things.

Anime product and merchandise chain Gamers is set to open an official shop in collaboration with the upcoming anime series Love Live! Super Star!! on May 30.

Pre-Sale Merch

Full-Colour Pass Cases | ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

Luggage Tags | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)

Rubber Key Rings | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)

Korokotto Love Live! Super Star!! | ¥990 Each (Tax Included)

Love Live! Super Star!! comes as the latest entry to the Love Live! anime franchise and will begin airing this July. The story follows five girls who aim to become school idols. Fans of the series won’t want to miss out on a chance to visit the shop if they’re in Tokyo this spring as they get their hands on a selection of exclusive merchandise, pre-sales, and more.

(C)2021 プロジェクトラブライブ！スーパースター!!

The Gintama @ Dash Store pop-up shop is returning to Ikebukuro P’PARCO and Animate Osaka Nipponbashi where fans can get their hands on lots of merchandise of Hideaki Sorachi’s manga series Gintama.

Gintama’s characters wear blue for the store

Dash Store will sell a range of exclusive items as well as offer pre-sales on upcoming merchandise. The illustration pictured above of the characters in blue hoodies was also drawn exclusively for the store and will feature on a range of items.

For every ¥2,000 (tax included) spent by fans at the store they will receive one of nine possible bromide pictures. And for an extra ¥500, those who buy one or more items can get a special tote bag too.

A look at some of the merch line-up

Acrylic Stands | ¥1,650 Each (Tax Included)

Folders | ¥440 Each (Tax Included)

Acrylic Key Rings | ¥715 Each (Tax Included)

Hoodies | ¥5,500 Each (Tax Included)

©空知英秋／集英社・テレビ東京・電通・BNP・アニプレックス

This summer, the Japanese ryokan inn HOSHINOYA Tokyo is once again hosting its “Tokyo Midsummer Night’s Banquet” event which brings Edo period culture to the modern day in the form of a traditional festival with entertainment and food.

Tokyo Midsummer Night’s Banquet: 4 Things to Enjoy

1. The new HOSHINOYA Tokyo Sake Bar

For a limited time only, the new HOSHINOYA Tokyo Sake Bar is opening on the first floor of the inn which will serve an izakaya-style experience to guests who can expect to enjoy Japanese sake together with various otsumami foods to enjoy with alcohol provided by restaurants nearby in Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Ningyocho. There will be old-timey noren entry curtains, lanterns, and other little decorations to give it that Japanese summer festival vibe. Staff will also be clad in traditional happi coats.

2. HOSHINOYA Ennichi

At the inn lobby and entrance, guests will be welcomed straight into the heart of the summer festival experience coupled with Edo culture. When evening settles in, the calm atmosphere will be transformed with the sound of lively music reminiscent of a Japanese matsuri orchestra. Guests can enjoy a range of activities from Edo times, such as ‘fishing’ for a flower as pictured above.

Location: HOSHINOYA Tokyo lobby and plaza

Times: 17:00-21:00

Price: Free

3. A very special menu for guests staying at the inn

Enjoy a range of Edo period foods like conger eel, refreshing cold sea bream chazuke perfect for the summer weather, and more. Food is served in guest rooms so they can enjoy a private dining experience.

Location: Guest Rooms

Times: 17:00-21:00

 4. Rental yukata service for that real Japanese summer vibe

Use the inn’s rental kimono service to pick out a summery yukata and obi sash to look beautiful and get into Japanese summer festival mode. Guests can walk in and around the inn as well as around the local district of Otemachi.

Time: 10:00-18:00
Price: ¥5,000 per person

Bookings: Mandatory
Book Here: https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo/

Innovative outdoor-wear brand Columbia and select shop SHIPS have come together to release their new limited-edition RED HILL BUTTE TEE t-shirt collection.

The line-up makes use of Columbia’s Omni-Freeze Zero technology which keeps wearers cool in hot, humid, and sweaty, environments, and Omni-Wick which pulls moisture away from the body so sweat can evaporate quickly. Whether it be for camping or regular everyday use this spring and summer, the collection is a must-have for the hot weather.

RED HILL BUTTE TEE | ¥6,050 (Tax Included)

Colours: Black / Beige / Navy

Sizes: S / M / L

Embroidery on left of chest

The design weaves in Columbia’s DNA, taking inspiration from their fishing gear archive.

Back print

A fusion of nature and the city, paying homage to Portland, Oregon.

OMNI – FREEZE ZERO