You’ve likely seen Macoto Takahashi’s artwork before. Imagine a girl with large, starry eyes, clad in over-the-top elegant clothing. For the past 68 years, Takahashi has been drawing princesses and girls to turn heads, each of them full of life and captivating coquettish energy. 

After his debut in 1953, Takahashi published the manga series Arashi wo Koete and Princess Anne. His signature style of depicting glittering stars in the eyes of his protagonists would have a lasting influence on other manga artists. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was at the helm of many magazine covers and illustrations for popular girls’ manga magazines like Nakayoshi, Shojo Friend, and Margaret. 

Since 1992, Takahashi has regularly held solo exhibitions of new works, and these activities have expanded overseas as well. His paintings were used in the 2018 Comme des Garçons SS collection, and there’s no sign that his style will fall out of favor any time soon. 

On October 28, an art book filled with Macoto Takahashi’s beloved images was released. The 232-page book features over 150 works from the 1960s to the current day and is compact enough to bring anywhere. 

The Nippon Genki Project will be held again this year and it will be available to watch on the event’s official website and on YouTube. The event was created by the late Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto as a way to get people energised and motivated to realise their dreams.

Past Nippon Genki Project events

Nippon Genki Project 2015 Super Energy!! at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Nippon Genki Project 2016 Super Energy!! at Yoyogi National Stadium

Nippon Genki Project 2017 Super Energy!! at Roppongi Hills Arena

Nippon Genki Project 2018 Super Energy!! at Roppongi Hills Arena

Nippon Genki Project 2019 Super Energy!! at Roppongi Hills Arena

Nippon Genki Project 2020 Super Energy!! Online

The theme of this year’s event is ‘World Heritage Runway.’ The event will be recorded in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, at the foot of the World Heritage Site of Mt. Fuji. The footage will be released as a fashion film on August 21. Designers from across Japan have created a variety of looks for the event, and pieces by fashion schools, fashion universities both in Japan and overseas, and more will also be showcased.

Fuji-Q Highland began its ‘NARUTO x BORUTO Fuji Hidden Leaf Village’ event on Wednesday which is set to run throughout summer until August 29. The event is taking place to celebrate the birthday of the popular character Sasuke Uchiha from the Naruto franchise.

During the event, a keyword rally will take place, and a special menu will be served up.

Keyword Rally

Guests must play and ride six Naruto-themed attractions at the park where they will be able to collect keywords related to the Uchiha family. Those who manage to answer all the questions correctly will receive one of two free exclusive pins. The Sasuke & Itachi design will be available from June 9 to July 22 and the Uchiha Family design from July 23 to August 29. Check out the designs below, both of which are must-grabs for fans of Sasuke and the Uchihas.

Pin Design 1: Sasuke & Itachi (Uchiha Brothers) | Available: June 9, 2021 – July 22, 2021　

Pin Design 2: Sasuke & Sakura & Sarada (Uchiha Family) | Available: July 23, 2021 – August 29, 2021

Special Menu

Guests will also be able to enjoy a special menu line-up including a ramen dish served at Ichiraku, the ramen bar at Fuji-Q Highland which is themed on the same eatery of the same name in Naruto, and two cakes at Fuji-Q Highland’s official hotel resort and spa.

Uchiha Brother’s Spicy Ramen | ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

Uchiha Brother’s Print Cake

Uchiha Family’s Print Cake

ⓒ岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

HOSHINOYA Fuji, a hotel which opened as Japan’s first glamping resort, has announced the Glamping Fruits Breakfast summer plan which is set to run from June 20 to August 31.

HOSHINOYA Fuji is located in Japan’s prefecture of Yamanashi, a place that enjoys a bounty of fruit cultivation. Yamanashi has been called the “Fruit Country,” offering a variety of different fruits. In fact, it has been the biggest producer of peaches, grapes, and plums in Japan for over 10 year. The glamping masters of HOSHINOYA Fuji have had knowledge bestowed on them from the growers of these sweet gems who have advised on the safety and best ways to prepare land for fruit growing, characteristics of fruits grown throughout the year, and other means of support. Now, guests at HOSHINOYA Fuji are set to serve these fruits to guests at breakfast this summer.

Dine outdoors from a terrace with a breathtaking view

Guests will enjoy their breakfast out on a sofa on a private terrace that overlooks Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. With the support of the hotel’s Glamping Master, food will be prepared outdoors using a skillet and burner. The main dish is roasted peaches made with bacon and fresh herbs. The salty bacon and sweet peach make for a delightful combination. Best of all, ingredients and condiments are all prepared for guests in advance so they can enjoy a hands-free outdoor experience.

Indulge in high quality fruits

Eight varieties of fruit are available during the breakfast experience including peaches, Shine Muscat, pione, and more. And only the tastiest fruit is served to customers.

An optional tour is available with the plan which offers guests a chance to depart HOSHINOYA Fuji early in the morning to visit a peach farm in the city of Fuefuki. Guests are given exclusive access to the farm where they can learn all about how the peaches are grown from the farmers. At the end, they can tuck into some freshly-picked peaches with a glass of sparkling wine in hand.

The Nakamura Keith Haring Museum in Yamanashi is set to welcome the Keith Haring: 360° exhibition which will explore the diverse works of American pop artist Keith Haring. The exhibition will run from May 15, 2021 to May 8, 2022.

Keith Haring was an American pop artist whose work began in the 1980’s when he would create spontaneous drawings in the subways of New York City. Haring participated not only in solo exhibitions, but national and international shows too, such as documenta 7 in 1982 and Venice Biennale in 1984. His later works took on more political and societal themes such as drugs, racism, sexuality, and AIDS. Haring died of AIDS-related complications in 1990 at the young age of 31.

Photo by ©︎Makoto Murata

Untitled (Figure Balancing on Dog), 1989

Untitled (KH.200), 1982, The Museum of Art, Kochi

My Town, Peace I–IV, 1987, Tama City Cultural Foundation

Nakamura Keith Haring Collection

One of the most noteworthy appearances at the exhibition is Haring’s Figure Balancing on Dog (1989), a rare sculpture made of raw aluminium. As the title suggests, the piece features a person riding atop a dog, which may be a depiction of balance. It brings to mind the relationship between humans and animals and the anxiety towards a strange society that cannot be measured. Other works will also Untitled (KH.200) (1982), My Town which was drawn by 500 children from Tama, Tokyo, My Town, Peace I–IV (1987), and a series of six drawings entitled Bad Boys (1986) which Haring produced in Amsterdam.

For the first time ever, visitors will be able to see photos taken by Japanese art journalist Makoto Murata who interviewed Haring when visiting New York from December 1982 to January the following year.

The exhibition will look at Keith Haring, his diverse work, and deep messages of society from all angles – a 360° view.

Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake is calling for the rain this summer with the announcement of its Yatsugatake Fure Fure Sky event. The event will see over 1,000 fure fure bozu strung up—small handmade dolls to pray for the rain—along the 150-meter main street Green Pepper Avenue. The dolls act as the opposite of the more well known teru teru bozu dolls which are used to prevent rainy days.

Rain is something that’s always on the mind of travellers who hope for a dry trip when they reach their destination. This event however takes advantage of the rainy days to turn it into something to be enjoyed.

Yatsugatake Fure Fure Sky: 3 Things to Enjoy

The grand spectacle of the rain and over 1,000 dolls

Colourful fure fure bozu will line Green Pepper Avenue which serve as gorgeous decorations. There are eight colours to be spotted which represent the Yatsu in Yatsugatake meaning “eight” in Japanese.

Enjoy the sight and sound of the rainfall in the Rainy Domes

Sit inside your very own dome along Green Pepper Avenue and enjoy the sounds of the tapping rain. This is an experience that is best enjoyed when it rains, meaning praying for the rain is a must. It’s a chance to enjoy the rain without getting wet while sipping on wine and tucking into some light food.

Times: 11:00-16:00
Price: Free

Location: Green Pepper Avenue

Snap some photos in the rain wearing a Fure Fure Poncho

Inside the activity centre, visitors can rent their very own Fure Fure Poncho. This means they can head out in the rain and enjoy the sounds of the rain hitting their poncho, which is available in three different colours and all sizes for the family.

Times: 9:00-18:00

Price: Free

Location: Activity centre

Notes: Exclusive to Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake guests

Japanese publisher SHUFUNOTOMO released a new recipe picture book based on the Studio Ghibli’s 3D CG movie Earwig and the Witch on April 28.

Earwig and the Witch Recipe Book | ¥1,540 (Tax Included) 

The book features simple to follow recipes including famous British meals, desserts inspired by the movie, and lots of other mouth-watering delights that look like something straight out of Earwig and the Witch.

St. Morwald’s Home for Children’s Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is a classic British meal and makes an appearance in the movie when Earwig eats it at St. Morwald’s Home for Children. It’s her favourite meal: mash sat on top of a tomato sauce-loaded mince, carrots, green beans, onion, and paprika combo.

Boy Scout Fried Toast

Fried toast is another common food on the British breakfast menu. The recipe takes thickly-sliced bread and fries it in the juices of bacon and sausage. It’s based on the scene where Earwig messes up making her fried toast. The recipe is made Frech-style with egg, milk, sugar, and butter.

Earwig’s Pretzels

Using hot cake mix, learn how to make frosted white chocolate pretzels that look like Bella Yaga’s magical worm minions

Goro Miyazaki | Comment (Taken From Recipe Book)

“Cooking is fun, isn’t it? I myself love cooking: taking various ingredients and peeling them, chopping them, crushing them, and mixing them. You boil, you steam, you simmer, you fry. Using fire makes it all the more fun. What I make doesn’t always turn out perfect, but you can turn off and forget everything while you’re cooking, but it’s an amazing feeling when you sit down to eat the fruits of your labour and people tell you what you made is delicious. It’s even more amazing when you eat something that someone else made for you. Tasty food is like magic. Speaking of which, the magical spells that Earwig learns at Bella Yaga’s house are a lot like cooking. Carving, crushing, mixing. I’m sure that if you’re a skilled witch you’ll be a skilled cook too. I hope the people who read this book and think for the first time that they want to try out cooking will try making all sorts. Getting better at cooking might even lead you on the path to becoming a witch.”

The recipe book’s front cover was designed specially for this book by Goro Miyazaki.

A pop-up shops has opened at SOGO Omiya Store in Saitama centred on the Italian-American children’s book author Leo Lionni. Another pop-up shop based on the children’s book 11 Piki no Neko by Noboru Baba also opened alongside it.

Leo Lionni’s Friends Merchandise

Frederick Plush Toy | ¥2,200 (Tax Included) | Only 30 available

Swimmy Mini Letter Set | ¥440 (Tax Included) | Only 30 available

Time Wall Clock | ¥7,480 (Tax Included) | Only 10 available

Original bonus tote bag

11 Piki no Neko Merchandise

Blue Plush Toy (Large Size) | ¥4,400 (Tax Included) | Only 16 available

Toraneko Plush Toy | ¥1,650 (Tax Included) | | Only 32 available

Three Piece Lunch Box | ¥1,430 (Tax Included) | Only 30 available

Bonus pins

Leo Lionni’s works are loved the world over and have been translated into many different languages. Fans can get their hands on a range of items, and the first 300 people to spend over ¥5,500 will receive a free original tote bag. This goes for the 11 Piki no Neko shop too – the first 150 to spend over ¥2,000 will receive a free pin.

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.

Colourful bagels at BONBON BAGLE

Gaspard and Lisa Town original merchandise

Iwasaki Shoten published an adorable new picture book titled Mochi Bake Omochi Dakedo, Obake Desu on January 21 which is based on Takara Tomy Arts’s hugely popular gacha series Panda’s Ana.

The characters have fun at a festival

A plan to save the sweets shop

Fun 4-panel comic strips

A quiz about beans by Omame

The Story

The story takes place at a traditional Japanese confectionery store called Kumanekodo (Panda Temple). One day, the mochi sweets at the shop, which are made using traditional mallets and millstones which have been passed down for generations, come to life as Japanese obake (monsters). They are all friends and have fun together every day. The freshly-made mochi wait for the customers at the shop each day.

There are five main characters in the story: the strawberry daifuku Ichigo, cherry blossom mochi Sakura, mugwort mochi Yomogi, soy flour mochi Kinako, and the bean mochi Omame. If you’re learning Japanese and love all things kawaii then this is a great book to get your hands on for your reading practice.

Ⓒ Panda’s ana

FUJISAN SHOKUPAN is a sandwich bread shop located in Fujikawaguchiko―a resort town in the northern foothills of Mount Fuji―in Yamanashi Prefecture. The shop is now offering online half price deliveries in Japan on four types of its popular breads until January 2021.

FUJISAN SHOKUPAN’s website offer a range of products all of which are shipped across Japan in cooling packaging to keep everything fresh.

FUJISAN SHOKUPAN | ¥800 (Before Tax)

Perhaps the most famous item on their menu is that which goes by the same name as the shop itself. FUJI SHOKUPAN is a light blue and white sandwich bread which captures the form and appearance of Mount Fuji. Each sweet loaf is made with natural spring water from Fuji as well as Kyoho grape juice from Yamanashi before being baked with the utmost care.

If you get the chance to visit the area around Mount Fuji, or plan on climbing the mountain itself, be sure to mark the occasion by picking up a slice of FUJISAN SHOKUPAN.

Christmas cheer is here at Fuji-Q Highland, the popular amusement park in Yamanashi, where a special Christmas event is taking place at Gaspard and Lisa Town in the park.

Christmas gift set with original tote bag

Hot Coffee Set | ¥2,000 (Tax Included)

Up until Christmas Day, the Gaspard and Lisa Town shop is selling a special hot coffee set to warm visitors this holiday season which comes with coffee, cookies, and a coffee cup sleeve.

The set comes in a festive tote bag with Gaspard and Lisa celebrating Christmas 2020 around a Christmas tree.

Hot Coffee Set Contents
①Drip Coffee (Gaspard or Lisa version)
②5 Fujiyama Cookies
③Sleeve (Gaspard or Lisa version)
*Tote bags are available while supplies las

Treats for Christmastime

Gaspard and Lisa Christmas Jar Sweets | ¥500 (Tax Included)

At the Les Rêves Salon de thé tea salon, visitors can pick up a jar dessert which contains a sweet and sour tart topped with Gaspard and Lisa shaped cookies. Cafe Brioche is also selling a selection of freshly-made Christmas pastries.

When visitors spend over ¥2,000 in a single transaction at shops in the town they will receive a limited-edition Gaspard and Lisa Christmas coaster.

Send Christmas post to the Gaspard and Lisa creators

When buying something in the town, customers will be handed a Christmas card that they can send a message in to post in the town’s Christmas postbox. The post will be sent to wife and husband Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben, the creators of Gaspard and Lisa, in Paris, France. Up on the second floor of the town’s shop are also drawings and messages by the two creators delivered for this year’s Christmas event.

Post Collection: November 14, 2020 – December 13, 2020

Location: Gaspard and Lisa Town Shop

*1 card per transaction, available while supplies last

Meet Gaspard and Lisa

Gaspard and Lisa donning Christmas cloaks will make an appearance on Christmas cloaks to light up the Towatomo Tree. Visitors can also enjoy a soup with a cute Gaspard or Lisa sleeve.

Date: December 25, 2020
Time: From 16:30
Location: Gasprd and Lisa Town’s Towatomo Tree
Prices:
Soup Only – ¥300 (Tax Included)

Soup & Sleeve – ¥720 (Tax Included)

Wine bottle shaped chocolate

～Le Premier～Le chocolate au vin | ¥2,980 (Tax Included)

The bakers at Highland Resort Hotel & Spa have crafted a new wine bottle-shaped chocolate for the Christmas event. Its sweetness makes it perfect for pairing with wine.

Available: Les Rêves Salon de thé in Gaspard and Lisa Town

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