The popular LINE Friends characters now have their own pop-up cafe inside Ikebukuro PARCO which is running until April 25. The characters form part of a series of stickers used on the Japanese messaging app LINE which is used by other 200 million people worldwide.

 

The Menu

Brown’s Beef Burger | ¥1,250

Lattes | ¥950

LINE FRIENDS Parfaits | ¥1,100 Each

Cafe-Original Merchandise

 

Alphabet Die-Cut Stickers | ¥330 Each

Lunch Tote Bag | ¥1,650

Brown Mug | Available to the first 300 people who visit to the cafe

 

Join Brown, Cony, and Sally as they serve up a fun and tasty menu along with a collection of merchandise exclusive to the cafe as well as items also sold at the LINE Friends Store.

Kiii has announced a pop-up shop event called Kagimatsuri which is set to run at MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 from April 23 to May 9. It will welcome a range of exclusive merchandise by popular Japanese creators, including a selection of items by famous Japanese illustrator Yuuki Kikuchi who is known for his hit 4-panel comic strip series 100 Nichi Go ni Shinu Wani which follows the story of a crocodile who doesn’t know he’s going to die in 100 days. 100 panels were released across 100 days on his Twitter page with the final comic strip garnering over 2 million likes.

 

Buy Exclusive LINE Stamps

¥120 Each

In the run up to the event, a selection of LINE stamps made by eight popular creators is know available for purchase over on the LINE store.

T-FAN SITE released a collection of T-Cards featuring designs of K-pop group BTS’s popular BT21 characters on March 18. The points cards will also be released at TSUTAYA and Asahiya bookshops across Japan on March 31.

Tカード BT21

 

Original Merchandise

Acrylic Card Stand | ¥4,730 (Tax Included)

Sliding Card Cases (7 Designs) | ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

PVC Watches (7 Designs) | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Eco-Bags With Mini Pouches (7 Designs) | ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

T-Card BT21 includes all seven of the familiar cute faces: KOYA, RJ, SHOOKY, MANG, CHIMMY, TATA, and COOKY. There’s also a collection of exclusive merchandise which will be released at TSUTAYA and Asashiya next Wednesday.

The popular Japanese LINE sticker character series USGMEN is now taking orders for a new collection of merchandise on Village Vanguard for a limited time. The collection dropped on March 13.

 

The Line-Up

USGMEN White T-Shirt | Medium, Large | ¥4,180 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Yellow T-Shirt | Medium, Large | ¥4,180 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Black Suuetto T-Shirt | Medium, Large | ¥5,830 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Hoodie | Medium, Large | ¥6,380 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Cap | ¥3,630 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Face Mask | ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Clear Pencil Case | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

USGMEN – Usagi & Same Acrylic Key Rings | ¥770 Each (Tax Included)

USGMEN Tote Bag | ¥2,530 (Tax Included)

USGMEN Sacoche | ¥2,420 (Tax Included)

 

©︎うさぎメン

Japanese singer-songwriter Mosawo released the music video for his new song Sakurako on Monday (February 22). The song was created by Mosawo together with users of the music streaming service LINE MUSIC.

 

LINE MUSIC is Japan’s biggest music streaming platform for both Japanese and Western music with over 73 million songs spanning all genres.

 

Mosawo’s new song Sakurako was written as part of LINE MUSIC’s campaign to create a song about unfulfilled love after graduating school. The song was made based off romantic episodes, photos, and videos submitted by users. It’s written from a female perspective and imagines the girl having been unable to confess her love before graduation.

The song is available to listen to on LINE MUSIC, Spotify, and other music platforms. The music video can be watched here.

 

Speaking about the song and music video, Mosawo said: “I have created something wonderful with people. The song is written and composed based off photos featuring various different facial expressions and backgrounds, and of which there exists only a single of each in the world, as well as romantic stories submitted by people. Thank you all so much.”

 

In a conversation with LINE MUSIC, he also explained: “I read all of the stories and conversations with the people of LINE MUSIC, but the one that came up the most was that of unfulfilled love. Working with that, I had the idea of cherry blossoms, something tied to spring. The individual petals falling to the ground are reminiscent of falling tears, plus this is a song about separation from the one you love, and that’s how I came up with the song title ‘Sakurako.’ I made it a ballad so it draws out that feeling of unfulfilled love even more.”

 

“The first and second verses,” he continues, “have a sad tinge to them, but there’s an air of happiness in the chorus too. As for the lyrics, there are parts of the song where they’re unchanged, written exactly as they were submitted, and there are places where they’re changed a little. It was my first time singing lyrics that aren’t my own. It was a challenge, but I think the result is lyrics that capture everyone’s thoughts and feelings in one song.”

AEON has revealed a collection of 31 T-shirts that will be released via their casual fashion brand Doublefocus in collaboration with popular brands in Japan at 300 AEON and AEON Style stores across Japan on Friday (February 19).

 

 

Doublefocus Collaborative T-Shirt Collection

The pandemic forcing many people to stay at home has seen an increase in demand in Japan for more casual clothes and loungewear. Doublefocus, a casual fashion brand managed by AEON, has been collaborating with food companies, stationery makers, and other businesses since 2016. It has collaborated with over 100 brands to date and has seen much popularity from its fun and colourful line-up of T-shirts.

 

Doublefocus is now releasing a new collection of unisex T-shirts in six sizes, from SS to 3L, featuring iconic logos from famous brands in Japan. Let’s take a look.

 

The Line-Up

Releasing Late March 2021

　Country Ma’am / Nectar / Milky / LOOK – ¥880 Each (Before Tax)

 

Sushiro A / Sushiro B – ¥880 Each (Before Tax)

Lotteria Shrimp Burger / Lotteria Zeppin Ultimate Cheeseburger – ¥880 Each (Before Tax)

Campus x Soft Ring Notebook – ¥880 Each (Before Tax)

Coupy Pencil / Craypas – ¥880 Each (Before Tax)

 

This is just a select look at the diverse line-up of fun T-shirts to be released. Check out the links below for the full list.

LINE Friends Japan has announced that it’s releasing “2021 BT21 Happy Bag” fukubukuro lucky bags on December 12, 2020. Fukubukuro is a Japanese New Year custom where customers can buy bags filled with unknown contents, usually at a discounted price.

 

The Japan-exclusive lucky bags feature a set of nine limited-edition items and are based on the seven BT21 characters KOYA, RJ, SHOOKY, MANG, CHIMMY, TATA, and COOKY.

The bags will be available to purchase on the LINE FRIENDS online store, LINE FRIENDS Harajuku store, and 34 branches of LOFT in Japan. The LINE FRIENDS line-up features the BT21 Baby Series while LOFT will be selling the BT21 Basic Series.

 

2021 BT21 Happy Bag Baby – LINE FRIENDS Store Designs

¥6,600 Each (Tax Included)

If buying the fukubukuro at the LINE FRIENDS online store or Harajuku branch, the bags come in pastel colours along with the BT21 Baby design.

 

2021 BT21 Happy Bag Basic – LOFT Store Designs

¥6,600 Each (Tax Included)

If buying at LOFT or LOFT’s online store, you get bags with the BT21 Basic design which features the seven characters wearing colourful berets.

The 7th run of the popular BT21 Cafe is set to open in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya starting from October 17, 2020.

BT21 are the LINE messenger app characters created by K-pop group BTS. The cafe has seen six runs in Japan until now, and has proven immensely popular amongst fans for the selection of original dishes and drinks as well as exclusive merchandise. The 6th run ran back in February and March with a spring theme.

 

The theme of the 7th edition is centred on having a pyjama party in the long autumn evenings. The cafe artwork as well as food and merchandise is all themed on the autumn season.

 

FOOD

The food menu is a choice of a main, such as pasta or paella, and a side like clam chowder which is served up a cute character mug of your choice.

Fish Ragu Fusilli Pasta Set Menu Example | ¥1,490

A fusilli pasta dish served with a seafood tomato sauce.

Eggplant & Zucchini Lasagne Set Menu Example | ¥1,490

A lasagne served with the summer vegetables eggplant and zucchini as the main ingredient.

Seafood Paella Set Menu Example | ¥1,490

A Spanish dish containing Paella made with a seafood stock and served with potato wedges covered in a bravas sauce.

Margherita Pizza Set Menu Example | ¥1,490

The staple takeout pizza topped with tomatoes, mushrooms, and basil.

 

DESSERT

A selection of cakes served in different mugs with BT21 character designs.

Shortcake / Chocolate Cake / Mont Blanc / Cheesecake  – ¥1,290 Each

 

DRINKS

Drinks are self-service and include carbonated water, milk, and other beverages all of which can be topped with a dollop of character ice cream. This is a new kind of drink to be introduced at BT21 Cafe.

Character Drinks: KOYA／RJ／SHOOKY／MANG／CHIMMY／TATA／COOKY  – ¥990 Each

Glass Drinks: KOYA／RJ／SHOOKY／MANG／CHIMMY／TATA／COOKY – ¥500 Each

TAKEOUT DRINK | 1,690

The takeout drink is a blueberry milk combination.

 

GOODS

Fans can get their hands on a selection of original and exclusive miscellaneous merchandise all with the stay-at-home pyjama party theme.

Heart Pins | ¥600 Each (Design Chosen Randomly)

Card File | ¥1,300

 

Bonus Items

Cafe Original Cards

Cafe Original Coasters

Customers who book a table in advance will receive a free cafe original card, and those who order a drink a free coaster.

 

©BT21

Johnny’s Smile Up ! Project was set up by Johnny’s Group to contribute towards society and aid in relief activities. In the past, it has helped organise relief activities following such disasters as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

 

Japanese messaging app LINE supports the project’s work, and so has teamed up with it and Eiichiro Oda, Takuya Kimura, and Kazuya Kamenashi to create ONE PIECE themed ‘donation stamps’ which will be available on LINE from August 27 to November 26.

LINE sells donation stamps every year, with the proceeds going towards providing relief during disasters as well as for children around the world. Since April this year, LINE has supported and cooperated with Johnny’s Smile Up ! Project, and in June released their first collaborative stamps together which were based on the Japanese boy band Kanjani Eight. The two companies are coming together once again to develop ONE PIECE stamps in collaboration with Japanese publisher Shueisha, the creator of ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda, and singers and actors Takuya Kimura and Kazuya Kamenashi, both of whom are close friends with Oda.

 

The full stamp set includes 24 stamps for just ¥250 or 100 LINE coins, all of which were sketched and/or conceived by Eiichiro Oda, Takuya Kimura, and Kazuya Kamenashi.

 

Eiichiro Oda | Comment

“Illustration is a place where one’s personality comes out. Kimura and Kamenashi don’t normally draw pictures, so there was some silliness, but the atmosphere and intention was still ‘Smile Up’! I had fun with them both, and I’m thankful for the size of their hearts. Be sure to try out the stamps!”

 

Takuya Kimura | Comment

“I am truly honoured to have received Eiichiro Oda-sensei’s approval for the Smile Up ! Project. A lot of the words that are encouraging me these days can be found in ONE PIECE, and I was able to pick out my personal favourites! Definitely take a look!”

 

Kazuya Kamenashi | Comment

“I am beyond honoured to have been given the chance to participate as a fellow ‘ONE PIECE x Smile Up ! Stamp’ partner. Truth be told, drawing isn’t my forte, but I put my heart into it and had a wonderful time. It was like a dream, a lot of fun. Make sure you all use the stamps!

 

Johnny’s Smile Up ! Project will use the proceeds for the stamps to support front line health care workers in Japan.

 

*Comments translated from Japanese by MMN

©Johnny&Associates.

LINE Corportation opened pre-registration for its new PC gaming platform LINE POD on Thursday which will be available to Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, and countries in South East Asia.

 

LINE POD serves as a single hub where users can access mobile and PC games. Users can log in easily using their LINE accounts and can connect with OpenChat so they can talk with their friends and other users while playing. The service will be available in English, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian, and will provide the security and service know-how that LINE has honed over its many years of operating a global messaging platform.

Below is a list of the first batch of games set to be available alongside the platform’s launch. More games will be added.

・Free Style: Online street basketball game
・Game of Thrones Winter is Coming: PC strategy game
・ArcheAge: Fantasy sandbox MMORPG
・Hunter’s Arena: Legends: Action RPG and Battle Royale hybrid
・Rebirth Online: Open-world MMORPG
*Pre-registration and release date for each title on LINE POD differs from region to region

 

LINE POD will offer both free-to-play and pay-to-play games. Users can purchase Coins with which to buy games or game packages.

 

©LINE PLUS Corp.

The 6th run of the popular BT21 Cafe is here. The cafes will open at TOKYO BOX cafe&space Tokyo Solamachi on February 28, 2020, and at TOKYO BOX cafe&space Omotesando and UMEDA BOX cafe&space on March 5, 2020.

BT21 are the LINE messenger app characters created by K-pop group BTS. The cafe has seen five runs in Japan, and has proven immensely popular amongst fans for the selection of original dishes and drinks as well as exclusive merchandise.

 

TOKYO BOX cafe&space Omotesando & UMEDA BOX cafe&space

Kobu Salad & Baguettes – ¥1,690

Chef’s Crepe – ¥1,690

Drinks – ¥990 Each

“Springtime” is the theme this time around. TOKYO BOX cafe&space Omotesando and UMEDA BOX cafe&space will be based around a spring party, and customers will be able to order a set menu with food or dessert.

 

TOKYO BOX cafe&space Tokyo Solamachi

SHOOKY’s Brown Burger — ¥1,690

TATA’s Very! Berry! Sandwich – ¥1,690

Drinks – ¥990 Each

TOKYO BOX cafe&space Solamachi’s menu will be centred on the BT21 Baby Series, where all the characters have been turned into babies.

TOKYO BOX cafe&space Omotesando & UMEDA BOX cafe&space – “Let’s Party With You” Original Stickers and Coasters

TOKYO BOX cafe&space Tokyo Solamachi – “BABY” Original Stickers and Coasters

Customers can also get their hands on some original merchandise and bonus items too. Book a table and receive one of seven stickers, and order a drink to receive one of seven coasters.

Every month, Japan sees numerous collaboration cafés opening all over the country featuring the world’s most favourite characters, artists and much more. We’ve summed up the ones to look out for in January 2020.

 

Cafe de Perochi with Seven Days War, Shinjuku

To celebrate the anime film Seven Days War which premiered on December 13, a themed café opened at EJ Anime Theater in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The café opened in collaboration with popular creator Pantovisco who has over 680,000 followers across his social media.

 The cute menu line-up features Seven Days War-inspired food and desserts with Perochi and his friends joining in with the fun. There’s also a drinks menu with a line-up of colourful beverages and lattes which you can get various latte art drawings on.

 

Cafe de Perochi with Seven Days War

Running: December 13, 2019 – January 12, 2020

Location: EJ Anime Theater Shinjuku Floor 5F (Shinjuku Bunka Bldg., 3-13-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo)

Official Website: http://7dayswar.jp/

More Information: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/280643

 

BT21 Café, Shibuya, Tokyo and Abeno, Osaka

The BT21 collaboration café is currently running for the fifth time. The café opened in Shibuya, Tokyo and Abeno, Osaka on November 21, 2019 and will close on January 13, 2020. This there are more BT21 family members and friends featuring in the foods and drinks as part of the BT21 UNIVERSE series’ first-ever menu. There is lots of menu and café-limited merchandise to get your hands on too. 

Korean Burger: ¥1,490

Double Yangnyeom Chicken Rice: ¥1,490

 

BT21  Café, Shibuya, Tokyo Abeno, Osaka

Location: Shibuya BOX CAFE＆SPACE (Shibuya BOX109)

Running: November 21, 2019 to January 13, 2020
*Closed January 1

 

BT21  Café, Abeno, Osaka

Location: Abeno, Abeno contact

Running: November 21, 2019 – January 13, 2020
Official Website: https://www.bt21.com/relations

 

Devil May Cry 5 x Capcom Cafe Ikebukuro

The Capcom Cafe is collaborating with the action-adventure hack and slash video game Devil May Cry 5 once again at the Ikebukuro, Tokyo branch from December 5, 2019 to January 15, 2020.

Devil Breaker “Overture” Potato – ¥880 (Before Tax)

Demon World Mont Blanc – ¥980 (Before Tax)

The cafe will feature various menu items and merchandise that was sold at the Laketown branch of Capcom Cafe, as well as new meals, drinks and even more merchandise.

 

 Devil May Cry 5 x Capcom Cafe Ikebukuro

Running: December 5, 2019 – January 15, 2020

Address: Capcom Cafe Ikebukuro, 1-30-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Last Orders: 21:00)

Official Website: http://www.capcom.co.jp/amusement/capcomcafe/ikebukuro/

More Information: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/276074

 

Pokémon Sword and Shield: Nihombashi, Tokyo and Shinsaibashi, Osaka

The Tokyo (Nihonbashi) and Osaka (Shinsaibashi) branches of the Pokémon Cafe are releasing their second batch of menu items in collaboration with Pokémon Sword and Shield which will be served between January 18 and March 19 next year.

Weezing’s Chemical Change Gas Pancakes – ¥1,628

Morpeko’s Hungry W Sauce Omurice – ¥1,628

Pokémon Sword and Shield was released on Nintendo Switch on November 15 so if you’re a Pokémon fan in Japan, this is the perfect way to celebrate.

 

 Pokémon Sword and Shield

 Pokémon Cafe (Nihombashi, Tokyo)

Address: Nihombashi Takashimaya SC East Bldg. 5F, 2-1-2 Nihombashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo

Business Hours: 10:00-22:00

No Fixed Holidays (Except when Nihombashi Takashimaya SC is closed)

Reservations: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/reservation.html

 

Pokémon Cafe (Shinsaibashi, Osaka)

Address: Daimaru Shinsaibashi Honkan 9F, 1-7-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Business Hours: 10:00-21:30

No Fixed Holidays (Except when Daimaru Shinsaibashi is closed)

Reservations: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/reservation.html

More Information: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/283263

 

Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror, Harajuku

“Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror” opened in Japan’s hub of kawaii culture Harajuku on December 21 and will run until March 22 next year. The cafe is the perfect spot to relax with Korilakkuma and be entertained by projection mapping.

Table Projection Mapping Seats: ¥2,500 per person (Before Tax)

Twin Korilakkuma Strawberry Milk – ¥990

The cafe incorporates “interactive tabletop projection mapping” technology developed by Sony, which allows customers to enjoy their meals while playing together with the characters as they walk around their plates and tables.

 

Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror

Running: December 21, 2019 – March 22, 2020 (Not running December 30, 2019 to January 3, 2020)

Location: HARAJUKU AR BOX -table projection mapping cafe- (4-28-28 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo)

Official Website: https://korilakkumacafe.jp/

More Information: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/284456

 

MARUKO&COJICOJI CAFE, Ginza

 The MARUKO & COJICOJI CAFE is set to open in Marronnier Gate Ginza, Tokyo on January 31, 2020 where it will run until July 31. It is a collaboration between the manga series Chibi Maruko-chan and Coji-Coji, both by Momoko Sakura. The cafe is opening to promote the release of the Chibi-Maruko-chan and Coji-Coji dream collaboration picture book. Customers can look forward to joining the two characters on their adventures as they are vividly recreated on their plates.

 

MARUKO & COJICOJI CAFE

Location: Sunday Brunch, Marronnier Gate Ginza 1 Floor 4F (2-2-14 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo)

Running: January 31, 2020 – July 31, 2020 (Subject to change)

Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00

Reservations: Opening on the official website from mid-January 2020

More Information: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/284763

 

 

How about kicking off New Year in Japan at a cute collaboration café?