Strawberry lovers, listen up. If you’re looking to indulge in strawberry-flavoured desserts all day long, then this fruity festival will have your mouth watering. The Gaspard and Lisa themed town at Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi is now holding its annual Strawberry Festa event which is running until May 5.
There are so many tasty treats to enjoy at this year’s event, from cakes and pastries, desserts and drinks—all made with plump and fresh strawberries—that you can enjoy eating while walking around the themed town. One must-try is the Strawberry Pavlova which is made with a meringue that’s crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle and is adorned with fresh cream and, of course, strawberries. It’s a hearty serving but is actually a light and refreshing eat.
Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set at Les Rêves Salon de thé
Strawberry Festa exclusive face masks
Guests at the park who spend over ¥3,000 in a single transaction at any shop in the town will receive a free original face mask.
Hotel guest rooms
Meet Gaspard and Lisa in-person
Les Rêves Salon de thé
Strawberry Crepe recipe showcase
For those unable to travel due to restrictions, the town has also posted an online video showing how you can makes a strawberry crepe at home.
Chocolate bananas at LA BANANE
A variety of new shops have also opened at Fuji-Q Highland, including Strawberry Fetish which is Japan’s first shop specialising in strawberry hard candy, as well as LA BANANE where you can enjoy chocolate bananas and other treats.
Gaspard and Lisa Town original merchandise
Information
Fuji-Q Highland Gaspard & Lisa Town Strawberry Festa
Running: March 23, 2021 – May 5, 2021
Where: Fuji-Q Highland
Event Details: https://www.fujiq.jp/special/lisagasevent/
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The scenic Hoshino Resort Risonare Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its spectacular views and hot springs, will begin hosting Night Strawberry Tours, inviting couples to pick strawberries in an illuminated greenhouse from January 6 until March 30, 2023. The event is only available on even-numbered days, and only one couple per day can participate. Beni Hoppe Strawberries are a specialty of the area, and this is the 10th event of its kind. Fittingly, guests can enjoy their strawberries with 10 unique condiments.
Enjoy Fresh Strawberries with 10 Condiments
Guests can enjoy ten unique condiments with their strawberries, including condensed milk, mascarpone, and pistachio. When the mild flavor of condensed milk is combined with savory pistachios, the fresh, full-bodied sweetness of the Beni Hoppe strawberries reaches a new level. Visitors are welcome to ask the staff for the best combinations, or are welcome to experiment themselves! Pick Strawberries at Night in a Private, Shimmering Greenhouse
After dinner, guests will leave the hotel to begin the Night Strawberry Tour. A red carpet is laid out in the illuminated greenhouse, and those taking part in the tour will enjoy strawberry picking as they sip a glass of rose champagne. See how Strawberries are Cultivated
Beni Hoppe strawberries are made by combining the Akihime and Sachinoka varieties. In Japanese, the name means red cheeks, and the name was inspired by the Japanese term hoppe ga ochiru*, meaning “my cheeks are falling off.” This is often used to describe food that’s extremely flavorful. These particular strawberries are award-winning, so visitors won’t want to miss this exclusive experience! *See Shizuoka Prefecture's official website for more information. Information
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Atami – Night Strawberry Tour
Running: Even-numbered days from January 6, 2023 – March 30, 2023
Hours: 19:00-21:00
Price: ¥17,000 per person, reservation for 2 people (Tax Included)
Details/Reservations: https://risonare.com/atami/
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To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Yamanashi Sannichi Newspaper & Sannichi YBS Group, teamLab will hold a special illuminated art event on the shore of Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture from October 28 until November 13, 2022. Guests will be able to enjoy the Sunset Shore Autumn Leaves Festival at the same time, and at the same venue.
Autonomous Resonating Life - teamLab ©teamLab
Sketch Aquarium - teamLab ©teamLab
The works on display will be Autonomous Resonating Life and the Sketch Aquarium. In Autonomous Resonating Life, guests will wander along the shore, passing by massive colorful and glowing ovoids being pushed and pulled by the wind. When there is no wind, and when no one is touching the ovoids, they will begin to slowly blink. The Sketch Aquarium invites visitors to color a drawing of a sea creature. Once finished, these creations will come to life in a giant virtual aquarium, swimming together with other creations. Visitors can touch the fish to see them swim away, or can touch a virtual food bag to feed them!Information
Event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Yamanashi Sannichi Newspaper & Sannichi YBS Group
teamLab: Autonomous Resonating Life and Sketch Aquarium at Lake Yamanaka
Official Site: http://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/yamanakako/
Running: October 28 – November 13, 2022
Venue: Lake Yamanaka (Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park)
506-296 Hirano, Yamanaka-ko, Minamitsuru, Yamanashi
Tickets: ¥500 (Elementary Age and Up)
*Free for preschool-age children
*Ticket sales to begin September 28
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Yamanashi’s Fuji Motosuko Resort is home to the yearly Fuji Shibazakura Festival, one of the most popular spring flower events in Jaapn. From July 16 until October 10, 2022, guests will also be able to enjoy the Rainbow Flower Festival, with over 80,000 blooms decorating the land around Mount Fuji.
From Left: Coneflowers, Common Zinnia, Begonia, Ageratum
From Left: Scarlet Sage (Sirius), Scarlet Sage (Bonfire), Scarlet Sage (Deep Blue), Coleus
The theme for the inaugural event is ‘Seven Colors of Mount Fuji.’ Visitors will be able to take incredible pictures, with a variety of blooms springing from the Earth in seven beautiful colors. Whether you love begonias or zinnias, you won’t want to miss this one. The venue will also feature photo spots that will be perfect for social media, from a rainbow circle bench to the ‘Yellow Door of Happiness.’ A campaign will also be held to choose the best photos of the event posted to Instagram.Koppe-pan (with Yamanashi Peach Butter and Whipped Cream) / Lava Fried Tofu / Bellflower Mochi Ice Cream / Jewel Soda
A unique food menu featuring everything from lava-shaped fried tofu to fluffy bread with local peach butter will appear at the event.*Sample image.
Pictures aren’t the only thing you’ll leave with–a selection of souvenirs will be on sale, including ‘Stick Jelly’ made with five types of local fruit puree. These will only be available at the event, so come have a wonderful time visiting Mount Fuji this summer!Information
Rainbow Flower Festival
Running: July 16 – October 10, 2022
*Blooming dates may vary. The festival will be open every day during the event period.
Hours: 8:00-16:00 *Subject to change.
Tickets: Adults (Middle school age and up): ¥800 / Children (Ages 3 and up): ¥250
Venue: Fuji Motosuko Resort (212 Fujigane, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi)Official site：https://www.fujimotosuko-resort.jp/
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The globally popular slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ. Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies, and the series has helped people around the world destress. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021. An animated film will arrive in theaters on July 1, 2022. The series has announced a collaboration with Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, which are both depicted in the work, as well as JR Central. The ‘Laid-Back Camp Dramatic Puzzle Solving Game: Two Treasure Maps and a Trip Down Memory Lane’ event will run from July 1 until August 31, 2022. The Rin Route will begin in Kofu and the Nadeshiko Route will start in Shizuoka. Participants will receive a small gift for completing each route. In conjunction with the event, JR Central will sell special Laid-Back Camp one-day round-trip tickets, and a collaboration train will be decorated with illustrations from the series. The poster for the event shows new illustrations of Rin and Nadeshiko made by Green House, the illustrators behind Bikkuriman. These illustrations will also appear on a variety of original goods! When Japan opens again, how would you like to journey through these beautiful areas? ©あfろ・芳文社／野外活動委員会
Information
Laid-Back Camp Dramatic Puzzle Solving Game: Two Treasure Maps and a Trip Down Memory Lane
Running: July 4 – August 31, 2022
Booklet Distribution Locations:
Yamanashi Prefecture – Kofu City Tourist Information Center / Shimobe Roadside Station / Minobu Station Shop
Shizuoka Prefecture – Shizuoka City Tourist Information Center
Details: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/event/2022_yrcm_summer.html -
Niponbashi Takashimaya’s Le Cafe de Joel Robuchon Collaborates with Gaspard and Lisa on Limited Time Menu
Le Cafe de Joel Robuchon, located inside Niponbashi Takashimaya, is now offering a special menu in collaboration with the French children’s book characters Gaspard and Lisa! These items will be available until May 31, 2022.Collaboration Menu
Gaspard and Lisa Plate
Strawberry Galette with Gaspard and Lisa (Served with coffee or tea)
Exclusive Merchandise
Original Pouch
Coaster
Visitors can enjoy a Gaspard and Lisa plate complete with two adorable mini-burgers served with fries and strawberry panna cotta. Those wanting a dessert can grab a buckwheat flour galette covered in strawberries! The location will be decorated with Paris-themed illustrations from the Gaspard and Lisa picture books during the collaboration, and customers will receive an original pouch and limited edition coaster as order bonuses. Be sure not to miss this little slice of France in Tokyo! ©2022 Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben / Hachette LivreInformation
Gaspard and Lisa Explore Le Cafe in Paris
Running: May 11 – May 31, 2022
Location: Le Cafe de Joel Robuchon (Niponbashi Takashimaya S.C. 2F)
Hours: 10:30-19:30 (Last order 18:30)
Details: https://www.robuchon.jp/topics/12605.html
Official Site: http://www.four-seeds.co.jp/ -
The Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Yamanashi Prefecture will be holding a celebratory exhibition in honor of the location’s 15th anniversary from May 14, 2022 until May 7, 2023. In April 2007, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection opened in Kobuchisawa, located at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake. The only museum in the world dedicated entirely to New York-based artist Keith Haring, Kazuo Nakamura collected the works and acts as the director of the museum. Over 300 works of art are on display along with 500 other pieces, from photographs and videos to merchandise. The new exhibition features approximately 150 works.
Three Lithographs (People Ladder), 1985
Icons (Radiant Baby), 1990
Untitled, 1984
Untitled, 1988
Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1981-1983
The ‘Chaos and Hope’ exhibition was originally held during the museum’s first year of operation and looks back at Haring’s first experiences in New York City in 1978. The artist was present at the dawn of the hip-hop movement and was struck by the clash between typical white art and underground minority artists. In only five years, Haring rose to stardom. Sadly, while traveling the world, he contracted AIDS, passing away at the age of 31. Behind the bright and cheerful artwork he left behind, he hid his inner suffering and desire for hope and freedom. All Keith Haring Artwork ©Keith Haring Foundation Courtesy of Nakamura Keith Haring Collection.Information
Nakamura Keith Haring Collection 15th Anniversary: Chaos and Hope
Venue: Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Running: May 14, 2022 – May 7, 2023
Official Site: https://www.nakamura-haring.com