H&M announced on April 27 that their promotional ambassador for Golden Week 2021 is none other than Japanese actress, model, and singer Yui Aragaki. The clothing company created a campaign video with her and conducted a behind-the-scenes interview which MMN has translated.
Campaign Video
Behind-The-Scenes Interview
Yui Aragaki Interview (Excerpt)
Q: How did you react when you were appoint an H&M Ambassador?
“My first impression when they invited me along was excitement. It was something new, so I thought it might lead to even more new things. It felt exciting.”
Q: How do you relate to the ‘Let’s Change’ concept for this campaign?
“I feel like people around the world somewhat feel that we just are changing, rather than having to change. I think this campaign serves to act as the impetus for each person to think about what they want to change. And getting to become the ambassador for that is really worthwhile. Once people know and are aware of what they think, they can begin to recognise and digest it. And I hope that that becomes second nature to them. Even if they can’t relate to a certain change, it’s important for them to acknowledge it.”
Q: What efforts are you taking when it comes to sustainability?
“I’m still learning when it comes to sustainability, but I do use H&M’s Garment Collecting service. No matter what, clothes are consumable goods, so of course I take care of them. Some items are lifelong, but some I have to change depending on how I’m feeling, or depending on the environment. I’m thankful that there’s somewhere I can take them to where they can be used for something else. It feels good to drop them off.”
The Let’s Change campaign encourages people to recycle their clothes as well as take their own shopping bag which earns customers Conscious Points as a reward. Yui Aragaki is donning seasonal earth colours made from sustainable materials for the campaign.
Information
H&M Let’s Change
Released: April 27, 2021
Campaign Site: https://www2.hm.com/ja_jp/ladies/shop-by-feature/1703-golden-week-jp.html
RELATED ENTRIES
-
For this year’s Golden Week, Royal Park Hotel in Tokyo is serving up a limited-time selection of two desserts on its first floor cafe and bakery IKI: the Koinobori Roll Cake and Animal Sweets & Pastries, both of which are available now until May 5. It’s also selling two different mont blancs for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Carp streamer-inspired roll cake and animal pastries
Koinobori Roll Cake – ¥2,160 (Tax Included)
Animal Sweets & Pastries: Sheep Cheesecake, Bear Tiramisu, Rabbit Mousse – ¥540 Each / Piglet Pastry, Dog Pastry, Chick Pastry – ¥324 (Tax Included)
This line-up of takeout desserts and pastries are made at the hotel’s own cafe and bakery IKI, all of which have been made to celebrate Children’s Day which falls on May 5 every year. This includes a moist chocolate and strawberry carp streamer roll cake which is popular at IKI every year. There’s also a cute selection of animal delights including the light and fluffy Sheep Cheesecake, mascarpone cream and coffee Bear Tiramisu, and a sweet and tangy Rabbit Mousse made from assorted berry mousse and jelly, as well as three pastries made to look like a chick, dog, and piglet.
Serving: April 29, 2021 – May 5, 2021
Happy Father’s Day & Happy Mother’s Day Specials
Mother’s Day Mont Blanc / Father’s Day Mont Blanc – ¥1,944 Each (Tax Included)
The Mother’s Day Mont Blanc is a wonderfully light combination of strawberry jelly, fresh strawberries, white chocolate mousse, and strawberry cream. The Father’s Day version is made with a fresh mascarpone cream, a mont blanc base that’s made from chestnut and blackcurrant jam, chocolate cream, and caramelised nuts.
Mother’s Day Mont Blanc: May 7, 2021 – May 9, 2021
Father’s Day Mont Blanc: June 18, 2021 – June 20, 2021
Monthly Breads: May & June
Each mother, IKI releases limited-time breads or pastries. For May, customers can enjoy the rich Edamame & Bacon Parmesan France and the bitter Chocolate Cream Cornet. In June, there’s an Orange Cream Cornet made with sliced orange peel, and the Tomato Rustic which is crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, combining tomato and cheese. There’s also Shokupan made with matcha and large-grained adzuki beans.
Edamame & Bacon Parmesan France / Chocolate Cream Cornet (Dark Chocolate) – ¥302 Each (Tax Included)
Orange Cream Cornet – ¥302 / Tomato Rustic – ¥302 / Shokupan (Matcha & Adzuki Bean) – ¥648 (Tax Included)
May Monthly Bread: May 6, 2021 – May 31, 2021
June Monthly Bread: June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Information
Royal Park Hotel Golden Week Desserts
Start Date: April 29, 2021
Where: IKI
Address: royal Park Hotel, 2-1-1 Nihonbashikakigarachō, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official Website: https://www.rph.co.jp/event/GWevent2021.html
-
Golden Week is almost here in Japan, and so Laforet Harajuku is readying itself for its special LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK event which will run from April 24 to May 9.
Around 60 stores inside the Harajuku-based shopping centre are participating in this event where shoppers can get their hands on a new wardrobe full of outfits, a stock of items and accessories, and more. There is also a special item available at Charles Chaton on Floor 4F of Laforet that is made as part of a triple collaboration between the store, DJ and music producer Night Tempo, and Rie Kanou, the author of the manga series Slow Motion wo Mou Ichido. At FRAPBOIS on Floor 1.5F, there’s a selection of t-shirts, shirts, one pieces and other must-grabs created in collaboration with Osamu Goods. And that’s just a taste of the many exclusives to be sold and doesn’t take into account all the other events that will take place at this year’s LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK. Let’s dive deeper.
The Little Cat Shop by MILKBOY | April 30 – May 9 | Floor 1F Entrance Space
The Little Cat Shop by MILKBOY is a cat-themed shop by three brands: MILK, MILKBOY, and LAND. It will incorporate hit motifs from the brands’ past line-ups as well as introduce all-new trends. As well as clothes, there are accessories, sofvi toys, and other items, each woven with each of the brand’s touch. There will also be a raffle to win exclusive sofvi toys made by notable sofvi artists like IZUMONSTER and Konatsuya. Plus, all customers who spend over ¥10,000 will get an original sticker.
Cat eyes dress ¥32,450 / CAT EYES SHIRTS ¥19,250 / CAT TOWER TEE ¥8,800 / MISCHIEF cat Frill TEE ¥13,200 / Ribbon CAT TEE ¥7,920 (Tax Included)
Kuttsuketemiyou Picture Book Pop-Up Shop | May 1 – May 16 | Floor 2F POP UP SHOP SPACE
Kuttsuketemiyou is a picture book by contemporary artist Ken Kagami and it’s getting its first pop-up shop at Lofret Harajuku. The humorous book sees Kagami seeing what would happen if he tried attaching certain things to animals. It’s a work of artistic nonsense enjoyed by children and adults alike, and fans of the quirky story can get their hands on a range of merchandise featuring the cute creatures. Kagami will also be doing signings.
Kuttsuketemiyou Book ¥1,650 / Mug ¥2,750 / Tote Bag ¥4,180 / T-Shirt ¥4,950 (Tax Included)
ABEMA 5th Anniversary Laforet Harajuku Campaign
In celebration of ABEMA’s 5th anniversary, it is holding a limited-time campaign in collaboration with several popular Japanese TV shows such as Koi to Ookami ni wa Damasarenai and Black Cinerella. ABEMA is a Japanese video streaming website. During the campaign, customers who spend over ¥2,000 at select stores will receive a limited-edition Black Cinderella sticker and a ticket to an online event centred on Koi to Ookami ni wa Damasarenai. They can also enter a raffle to win signed merchandise from the shows if they show their receipt and have spend over ¥2,000.
Harajuku Shopping Week 2021 | April 28 – May 7
Shoppers who spend over ¥1,000 at select stores will receive a scratch card that may net them a ¥1,000 coupon.
UNDER GROUND SNAP Photoshoot | April 29 – May 8 @ 12:00-16:00
A photoshoot will take place down on Floor B1.5F. Those who sign up can have their photo taken professionally by Gothic and Lolita Market which will be featured in the early June 2021 edition of Laforet Harajuku’s tabloid as well as on HARAJUKU POP WEB. Info on how to apply can be found on LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK’s official website.
Information
LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK
Running: April 24, 2021 – May 9, 2021
Where: Laforet Harajuku
Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Official Website: https://www.laforet.ne.jp/special/gw_2021/
-
Hi, readers. I’m Heir from the MMN editorial department.
Japan’s week of holidays known as Golden Week is about to begin. This year there are a whopping 10 holidays in a row, and during that time, lots of festivals are set to take place up and down the country.
Have you ever experienced a Japanese festival yourself? In this article I’m going to recommend 6 music festivals taking place during Golden Week that won’t fail to excite music lovers.
1. ARABAKI 2019 (Miyagi)
ARABAKI ROCK FEST is one of the main rock festivals in Japan that takes place in the Tohoku region. The event came to be as a way to promote Japan’s native culture up and down the country through a fusion of history, culture and rock music.
A total of 52 artists are set to perform this year including Aimyon, Wednesday Campanella and QUEEN BEE. Enjoy two days of music while getting up close and personal with Tohoku culture.
▶︎INFO
ARABAKI ROCK FES.2019
Date: April 27, 2019 – April 28, 2019
Location: Michinoku Park, Kawasaki, Miyagi Prefecture
Official Website: https://arabaki.com
2. FM802 REQUESTAGE (Osaka)
This live event will take place at Osaka-jo Hall on April 29. Six huge names in the Japanese music industry will take to the stage for this one-night show: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, [ALEXANDROS], UVERworld, King Gnu, THE ORAL CIGARETTES, and Motohiro Hata.
▶︎INFO
FM802 30PARTY SPECIAL LIVE Kiyo Bank presents REQUESTAGE 2019
Date: April 29, 2019
Time: Open 15:00 / Start 16:00
Venue: Osaka-jo Hall
Official Website: https://funky802.com/requestage/
3. Kyoto Mirai Matsuri (Kyoto)
Kyoto Mirai Matsuri 2019 will take place at Minami-za, Kyoto’s oldest kabuki theatre, where the latest cutting-edge technology will clash with contemporary culture. The event will take place both in the day and at night offering their own unique experiences.
The line-up includes artists such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, BiSH, m-flo, CAPSULE and more. This is a chance to witness traditional Japanese culture combine with modern art, so if you’re in Kyoto this Golden Week be sure to check it out.
▶︎INFO
–OTOMATSURI–
Date: April 30, 2019 – May 5, 2019
Venue: Minami-za (198 Shijo Dori, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture)
Official Website: https://www.miraimatsuri.com
4. VIVA LA ROCK 2019 (Saitama)
VIVA LA ROCK, or VIVA LA for short as it’s known, is a rock festival that has taken place every May since 2014. The event invites a line-up of next generation artists that represent the “now” of the Japanese music scene.
An incredible 97 artists will be at this year’s festival including ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, UVERworld and KEYTALK. As well as music, concertgoers can look forward to food, outdoor BBQs, DJ performances and much more.
▶︎INFO
VIVA LA ROCK 2019
Date: May 3, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Venue: Saitama Super Arena
Official Website: https://vivalarock.jp/2019/
5. JAPAN JAM 2019 (Chiba)
JAPAN JAM is a huge music festival that has taken place every Golden Week since 2010. This outdoor event will take place at Soga Sports Park where attendees can look forward to a line-up of 54 artists and musicians such as Aimer, Fujifabric, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, miwa―the list goes on.
▶︎INFO
JAPAN JAM 2019
Date: May 4, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Venue: Soga Sports Park, ChibaOfficial Website: http://japanjam.jp
6. TOKYO M.A.P.S (Tokyo)
Another annual Golden Week event―this one since 2008―TOKYO M.A.P.S is a celebration of music, art and performance. The line-up this year features Trio Ohashi, Kitri, Ukigumo and more.
What’s great about this event is that it’s free to attend! Kick back and enjoy the live performances of a line-up of incredible artists in a relaxed environment.
▶︎INFO
J-WAVE & Roppongi Hills present TOKYO M.A.P.S ohashi Trio EDITION
Date: May 5, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Venue: Roppongi Hills Arena
Official Website: http://www.tokyomaps.jp
Golden Week is a time for fun and games, so if you’re in Japan, be sure you get to experience one of its many music festivals!
