From October 13 to October 27, artists are flocking to BONUS TRACK Gallery in Shimokitazawa to display some incredible works based on daruma, a type of lucky Japanese traditional doll. These works will also be up for sale in an online auction happening during the event period!

October 2020 Exhibition

October 2020 Exhibition

The motif of BONUS TRACK is the daruma, which are seen as symbols of perseverance and good luck in Japanese culture. This marks the third time that artists have been invited to create and sell their daruma-inspired works.

 

20% of the final bid price for each piece will be donated to various organizations. 30% will be given to the venue, while 50% will be given to the artists themselves. 

 

During the first event, donations went towards the Nippon Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund for Coronavirus. Other organizations supported include the Kitazawa Osekkai Club, a group involved in PTA and youth committee activities in the area, and Peace Wanko Japan, a dog protection organization in Hiroshima. 

The ‘1F Lounge & Bar 1867’ at the Kyoto Yura Hotel M Gallery will be hosting a Halloween themed afternoon tea from October 1 2021, with tea sets and cocktails available. The premium hotel is owned by Accor, a Paris, France based group that owns over 5,000 hotels and resorts in 110 countries.

The Halloween-themed afternoon tea has been made by Jennie Chiu, a pastry chef who grew up in America, the home of Halloween. The afternoon tea features cute and playful monster motifs, including a witch-hat Mont Blanc, a Cassis and Chestnut Cake topped with a small ghost, and a spider-web topped Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse. For savory treats, Chef Nishimura Niki has prepared Foie Gras soaked in Salted Koji, plus two luxurious lobster dishes.

 

 

The creative Halloween cocktails were brainstormed by Yamazaki Sousei, who ranked in the Japan Top 10 category of bartending competition ‘WORLD CLASS 2021.’ The Halloween and apple pie inspired lineup was inspired by Scotland and the Celtic people, looking back to when Halloween was first celebrated. 

Enjoy some adult-only time in this retro-modern “family mansion” themed space. 

2021 marks the fourth year that the Oi Racecourse, also called Tokyo City Keiba, will be bathed in a sea of over eight million colorful lights! The Tokyo Mega Illumination is back from October 16, 2021, until April 10, 2022, and features a water fountain show synchronized to music, a 100-meter tunnel covered in twinkling lights, and more. This year, in the Twinkle area of the event, guests can enjoy various AR illuminations created as a collaboration with NAKED, a creative production company headquartered in Shibuya. The NAKED BIG BOOK interactive experience will also welcome visitors to enjoy a projection mapping experience like no other.

 

NAKED BIG BOOK

Pergola (Interactive)

Illuminated Logo

AR Horse Camera Filter

AR Lights
Limited-Time Area: Tree Playing with Lights (Lawn Area)

 

NAKED’s most popular work, NAKED BIG BOOK, utilizes projection mapping to allow guests to turn the pages of a giant book and experience a unique world separate from their own. Using web filters and AR, guests can also see the object as a pop-up picture book! 

 

During this special collaboration held on a horse racing track, visitors can also see a giant white horse in AR as they explore the grounds. Colorful horseshoes and stars will pop up from people’s footprints, and the sound of visitors’ steps will take on the sound of a horse’s hooves instead. Be sure to make some memories by snapping commemorative photos with themed filters during the event!

 

Sunshine City Prince Hotel has revealed a new “Uramichi Oniisan” themed plan, available to reserve for a limited time between October 2 and December 31.

 

Hotel Staff Costume Illustration

 

 Pajama Costume Chibi Illustration

©Kuze Gaku・Ichijinsha / Uramichi Oniisan Production Comittee

Star Can Badge / Hotel Keychain / Mask Case (URA & OMOTE ) / Original Notepad / Hotel Key Card 

Cafe & Dining ‘Chef’s Palette’ Original Drink with Bonus Coaster

‘URA-Room’ with Chibi Character Illustration

 

 

The ‘Uramichi Oniisan’ anime became a hit in Summer 2021, known for its cast of famous voice actors.

 

The new artwork produced for the hotel features the characters in hotel staff uniforms and pajamas, perfect for the hotel-themed collaboration. The ‘OMOTE ROOM’ is designed using the new illustrations, while the ‘URA ROOM’ uses the chibi characters. Each room features a sound clip from Uramichi Omoteda (CV: Kamiya Hiroshi). Original merchandise and drinks are available to guests, plus the famous “Bird Finding Game” is available to play in each room, making it a must-see for fans!

 

Dive into the ‘Uramichi Oniisan’ world with this new collaboration hotel room!

 

The Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts in Machida, Tokyo, is currently holding the Looking at Prints: Techniques, Expressions, and History exhibition until December 5, 2021. Featuring over 130 prints created with a large variety of techniques, guests can take a deep dive into how each piece of art was made. 

 

An Up-to-Date Parody of the Four Classes – Utagawa Kunisada. 1857. Letterpress, wood, multi-color printing. 

 

Artists featured in the exhibition have used many different techniques to create their masterpieces, including woodblocks, copper plates, lithographs, and stencils. The main exhibit introduces famous printmakers such as Albrecht Durer, Pablo Picasso, and Shiko Munakata, but also a number of lesser-known artists who utilized less traditional techniques. All explanations are in an easy-to-understand manner, so why not come learn about art in Tokyo? 

 

To commemorate the release of the their second movie, ‘Sumikko Gurashi: Aoi Tsukiyo no Mahou no Ko,’ Sumikko Gurashi will be opening the limited-time ‘Night Party with Sumikko’ cafe in Osaka on October 20, Tokyo on October 21, and Aichi on November 11.

 

(Advance Reservation Benefit Only) Original Invitation with Postcard (Five types)

 

 

 

Menu

Tokage’s Night Party Curry: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl.)

 

Shirokuma’s Warming Hot Rice Casserole: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl.)

 

Five’s Recommended Children’s Lunch: ¥1,650 (Tax Incl.)

 

Magician’s Party ~Açai Bowl~: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl)

 

Aoi Tsukiyo’s Fruit Punch: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.) + ¥220 for one mini ice cream

 

Sumikko’s Pudding Ice Cream: ¥880 each (Tax Incl.)

 

Starry Drink: ¥990 each (Tax Incl)

 

Dolomite Coaster

 

Hot Café Au Lait: ¥880 (Tax Incl.)

 

 

Original Goods

 

Acrylic Keyholder (Random out of five): ¥770 (Tax Incl.)

 

Phosphorescent Sticker (Random out of eight): ¥605 (Tax Incl.)

 

Acrylic Stand (Random out of five): ¥880 (Tax Incl.)

Muddler (Three types): ¥1,100 each (Tax Incl.)

 

Mug Cup: ¥1,980 (Tax Incl)

 

Purse: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

 

Fluorescent Pen Set: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

 

A5 Clear File Duo: ¥605 (Tax Incl.)

 

Bandanna: ¥1,870 (Tax Incl.)

 

The Sumikko Gurashi characters are beloved by both adults and children for their gentle touch and tone. Their first movie, ‘Sumikko Gurashi Tobidasu Ehon to Himitsu no Ko’ was released in November 2019 and received great popularity. The sweet story of the Sumikko’s adventures through a story-book world attracted over 1.2 million viewers across Japan.

 

The heartwarming cafe menu includes “Tokage’s Night Party Curry,” “Shirokuma’s Warming Hot Rice Casserole,” Five’s Recommended Children’s Lunch,””Magician’s Party ~Açai Bowl~,” “Aoi Tsukiyo’s Fruit Punch,” “Starry Drink,” and more. The cute, Instagrammable dishes feature the characters who feature in the movie, which tells a mysterious story that begins under a blue moon in the Sumikko’s hometown. A lineup of limited edition goods and perks will also be available, adding to the movie excitement.

 

 

Enjoy a cute, social-media friendly meal and original merchandise at the exciting Sumikko Gurashi cafe!

 

©2021 Japanese Sumikko Gurashi Association Film Club

Adventure World, a zoo and theme park in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, is teaming up with the Nanki-Shirahama Marriott Hotel to celebrate the first birthday of baby panda Fuhin. This room plan will only be available from November 1, 2021, until March 31, 2022, and will include a fully themed room, an original mini-photo book of the panda’s growth to date, and plenty of other Fuhin amenities and goods!

 

Fuhin 1st Anniversary Room

Collaboration Burger ‘Marriott Panda Burger’ 

The Fuhin 1st Anniversary Room is a mixed Japanese-Western style room with an ocean view. The walls, blankets, and tatami are all covered in panda imagery, while portions of the room’s lighting are made from bamboo as a part of Adventure World’s quest to create more sustainable products. The special ‘COCOAR’ app will also allow guests to enjoy a moving photo frame featuring Guhin by holding their smartphone over the word ‘Fuhin’ on the wall. 

 

The limited-time Marriott Panda Burger uses the same recipe as the normal burger, but with a panda-shaped bun created along with Adventure World staff. How would you like to come and celebrate Fuhin’s birthday beside the sea? 

 

Your Favorite Panda Instagram Campaign

By taking a picture of one of the seven giant pandas at Adventure World (Eimei, Rauhin, Ouhin, Touhin, Yuhin, Saihin, Fuuhin) and posting it to Instagram with the two campaign hashtags (#推しパンダマリオット and #InsertFavoritePandasNameHere), 20 winners will be selected to receive special Adventure World goods!

 

As part of the Tokyo Art & Live City project, the OMNIBUS music festival will take place on November 6 and 7 in Japan’s capital. Rather than being held at Shinjuku Central Park, the November 7 concert will now take place at Hulic Hall Tokyo. Originally, this concert was named The Park #Assembly, though this has now been changed to The Hall #Space. For those holding tickets with the original name, don’t worry–your ticket will still be valid at the new venue. 

 

Those who want a refund due to the venue change should head to the official website by October 9. The November 6 concert titled The Circuit #Excursion will be held as scheduled. 

 

Additional tickets for the festival went on sale on October 2, 2021. Schedules for the events will be released soon, so stay tuned for more details!

 

Moshi Moshi Nippon has delivered news on tons of Halloween treats this holiday season, but can there ever really be enough? Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyo has announced a special two-day-only Halloween Sweets Buffet on October 30 and 31 at the location’s Flyer’s Table restaurant on the second floor. 

 

Pumpkin Cheese Tart

Ghost Mousse

Black Cream Puff

 

Guests can enjoy a variety of spooky treats all incorporating fall flavors like chestnut, pumpkin, sweet potato, pear, and apple. Offerings include the Pumpkin Cheese Tart, a mildly-sweet cheese tart made with sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese, and topped with pumpkin cream; the Ghost Mousse, a chestnut mousse made to look like a ghoul; and the Black Cream Puff, made with black cocoa and a cassis cream filling. 

 

At the demonstration corner, guests can see the Sweet Potato Mont Blanc being made. Those wanting something besides sweets can enjoy a selection of sandwiches decorated in Halloween style!

How would you like to enjoy a snowman-shaped Christmas cake and champagne while overlooking Tokyo Tower? The new Scoolove Christmas Accommodation Plan from the Prince Park Tower Tokyo is offering this incredibly festive experience from December 1 until December 26, 2021!

 

The TOKYO HONEY PROJECT, a product planning team made up exclusively of female hoteliers, has devised this romantic plan in the hopes of making Christmas magical and memorable again. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many couples haven’t had the chance to spend any special time together, so what better time than the holiday season? 

 

The word ‘Scoolove’ is a combination of ‘scoop’ and love,’ and while scooping up and enjoying this tasty snowman treat, the team hopes that couples will deepen their relationship and enjoy some much-needed quality time together. The head of the snowman is made from matcha ganache wrapped in kumquat cheesecake mousse, while the body is made of baked cheesecake accented with a raspberry jam. With these two competing flavors, every bite is sure to be interesting!

 

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West, a small luxury hotel located in the heart of Japan’s ancient capital, has revealed a new plan allowing guests to rent out the entire premises. Imagine being in a hotel with only your closest family and friends!

 

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West – Guest Room

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West – Bathroom

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Bamboo Suite

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Bamboo Suite Bathroom

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Standard Room

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Standard Bathroom

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Breakfast at Futago

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Futago Restaurant Interior

The Junei Hotel Kyoto – Dinner at Futago

Arashiyama Yusaitei

Arashiyama Yusaitei

Kibune Riverbed

Hozucho River Boat Ride

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Rooftop View of Kiyomizu-dera Lights

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Rooftop Garden Moon Viewing

 

With two locations in Kyoto, guests will be able to enjoy the entirety of the hotel in complete privacy while still enjoying hotel hospitality. With between 8-11 rooms, this would be the perfect spot for a family gathering, wedding reception, graduation trip with friends, corporate meeting place, or even for overseas guests!

 

The Junei Hotel Kyoto Imperial Palace West opened in 2017 as a community-based luxury hotel with only eight rooms, with a single mission: bringing the beauty of Japan to the world. Beyond simply finding a place to sleep for the night, the hotel wants guests to experience something special and to provide an unforgettable experience. By partnering with local tourism associations, the Junei Hotel hopes to accurately convey the traditions and singular culture of the city of Kyoto. 

 

In March 2020, a second location opened. The Junei Hotel Kyoto is surrounded by bamboo, and in fact, the theme of the hotel itself is bamboo and the moon. Each of the guest rooms is decorated with traditional and local bamboo crafts, and every detail is pulled from the natural beauty of Higashiyama, Kyoto. 

 

The restaurant attached to the hotel, Futago, is the perfect place for adults to unwind and recharge. The kappo-style course menu features Kyoto vegetables and seasonal ingredients, blending the delicious with the nutritious. Chefs will cook each dish using a variety of methods, and guests will be amazed by how the flavor of the meat changes from course to course. The menu changes each month, so be sure to come back throughout the year!

 

Guests can also rent out Arashiyama Yusaitei, a gorgeous building deep in the forests of Kyoto perfect for wedding receptions, photoshoots, tea ceremonies, and more. The rooftop garden offers a stunning view of Kiyomizu-dera and is also perfect for moon viewing. Those wanting to get even closer to nature can enjoy a boat ride down the Hozucho river, and for those craving desserts, a Japanese sweets-making class is also available!

 

Who would you take with you on a private stay at the Junei Hotel Kyoto? 

To celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary, Gucci will be hosting the ‘Gucci Garden Archetypes’ exhibition in Tennozu, Tokyo, between September 23 and October 31. The exhibition reflects the vision, aesthetics, and inclusive philosophies of creative director Alessandro Michele, as shown through advertising campaigns throughout his years in the position.

  

An Archetype refers to something that many things have been based on, and Gucci’s advertisement campaigns are exactly that – the Archetype to Gucci’s world.

The exhibition features astronauts, aliens, horses, angels, and more motifs that were featured in venues throughout the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, and even Paris’ May Revolution in 1968. Visitors are whisked away on a spectacular journey through Alessandro Michele’s kaleidoscopic vision. You will also discover the music, art, journeys, and pop culture that inspired Gucci’s campaigns.

 

Exhibition director Alessandro Michele spoke, saying “I thought it would be interesting to invite people to join me on this six year journey, experiencing a dazzling world of fantasy and surprises. From there, I decided to create an immersive world that people could jump into through the advertisement campaigns. After all, it is the campaigns that best represent my vision.” 

 

The exhibition is made up of multiple spaces built using cutting-edge technology, sophisticated craftsmen, and innovative interior design. The studio was designed by Archivio Personale, who has transformed Alessandro Michele’s vision into a narrative space. 

As you enter the venue, you’ll discover a control room, seemingly behind the scenes of the first exhibition as photos of Michele’s campaigns are projected onto screens. Each room is based on a different theme, connected by aisle to recreate the diverse and wonderful world of Gucci’s campaigns.

 

The Gucci Beauty room is full of screens at different angles, each showing footage from a lipstick collection campaign with the phrase “for the bold, the bright, and the beautiful.” The room dazzles those entering with the smile of punk singer Dani Miller, which is said to have overturned beautify standards in the cosmetics industry.

 

 The Gucci Bloom room is a floral paradise with its rich, floral scent. This campaign featured actress Dakota Johnson, feminist artist and photographer Petra Collins, and Hari Nef, a transgender actress and model, as the protagonists, each hiding away in an imaginary hidden garden. The three charismatic and unconventional women perfectly reflect Michele’s vision of modern femininity.

 

The 2018 pre-fall collection campaign paid homage to the young people who participated in Paris’ May 68 movement to mark the 50th anniversary of the event, using graffiti to add depth to the atmosphere. 

The room featuring the 2018 Spring/Summer campaign features visuals by Ignashi Monreal, who is known for his elaborate and expressive artwork, covering the walls and ceiling with a giant mural.

 

 

The room for the 2016 Fall/Winter collection takes you to Tokyo, using thousands of sequins across the walls to recreate Tokyo, a city that shines even at night. Meanwhile, the 2017 Fall/Winter room will take you all the way to space, with otherworldly creatures, aliens, and astronauts, all introduced in a Natural History Museum inspired diorama style.

The 2018 Fall/Winter room reflects the world of an eccentric collector, with shelves covering the walls from floor to ceiling. There are countless collectors items, with cases of butterflies, cuckoo clocks, colorful plushies, and even a number of Gucci GG Marmont bags. There are even set spaces, such as the  2016 Spring/Summer campaign which was set in the toilets of a 1980’s club in Berlin and the luxurious modern villa from the “Party of a Lifetime” cruise collection campaign in 2020. Head behind the scenes and traverse deeper into this maze-like space, riding the Los Angeles subway to return to Alessandro Michele’s very first campaign in 2015 Fall/Winter.

 

 

Lose yourself in the world of Gucci’s advertising campaigns with this immersive space!

 

Images Courtesy of Gucci