THE STRINGS Omotesando will be offering a new and limited ‘Violet Halloween Afternoon Tea’ at the ‘Cafe & Dining ZelkovA’ 1F between October 5 and October 31 2021.

The Halloween themed afternoon tea offers a selection of cute sweets, including black monster themed Maritozzo and purple taro Mont Blanc cream puffs topped with witch hats.

The cool Autumnal menu is made up of sweet and savory violet snacks, with purple potatoes, cassis, blueberries and more. You’ll find yourself able to taste the season, with the rich fig cheesecake and sweet chestnut scones.

Enjoy bottomless drinks with a selection of 16 herbal and flavored teas, coffees and lattes. You can even enjoy a cup of tea from TWG, a luxury brand from Singapore.

This adult-aimed afternoon tea is full of luxurious ingredients, such as parfait-like organic vegetables and salmon micuy, roasted Angus beef, and violet desserts. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the French and Italian crafted sofas while you take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Why not spend an elegant Autumn afternoon enjoying a luxurious afternoon tea, watching out over the iconic zelkova-lined streets of Omotesando?

Between October 1 and 31 2021, Sumida Aquarium will be hosting the ‘HALLOWEEN in Sumida Aquarium’ event, where you can enjoy an exciting Halloween alongside the Jellyfish. 

A workshop will be held at the event, teaching guests all about the floaty, mysterious and ghost-like jellyfish.

The aquarium’s famous 50m ‘Kaleidoscope Tunnel,’ which is formed of 5,000 mirrors, will be transformed into a Halloween wonderland for the ‘Jellyfish and Halloween’ event. Eight aquariums are embedded into the walls, with colorful background panels which feature Halloween motifs such as witches and pumpkins. The jellyfish look just like festive ghosts!

Moon Jellyfish Aquarium in the Kaleidoscope Tunnel 

Each aquarium introduces seven mysterious facts about jellyfish – For example, did you know that jellyfish have no heart, and have tons of eyes?

The mysterious tunnel wall is covered in images of cute jellyfish that transform into ghosts and jack-o-lanterns, while Halloween themed music plays in the background.

A jellyfish comparison workshop

A jellyfish comparison workshop will also be held at the aquarium’s Aqua Academy. Young children can participate in the workshop which explains the visual differences between different types of jellyfish, while crafting a cute jellyfish mobile under staff supervision.

Spend this Halloween at the incredible Sumida Aquarium!

Maison Kitsuné, a popular Parisian lifestyle brand that produces unique music and fashion items, has collaborated with Japanese mask brand PITTA MASK, a brand which has become famous for its extraordinary outlook. The trendy mask was unveiled at NYFW: The Shows on September 10 2021. 

The collaboration combines the creative direction of both Maison Kitsuné and PITTA MASK, working together to transform the typical mask, which has become a daily necessity, into something fun and stylish, all while maintaining the spirit of each individual brand.

PITTA MASK and Maison Kitsuné, a lifestyle brand known for combining fashion and music,  have collaborated to create a stylish and colorful mask that goes beyond just protecting the face, both practical and fashionable.

The two collaboration masks, which were unveiled during New York Fashion Week, will be presented as a free gift to customers who spend over ¥8,000 (Excl. Tax) in Maison Kitsuné stores in New York, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka from the end of September. The set is made up of two masks, in navy and white.

Quantities are limited, so be sure to check out the latest information on social media!

KRISPY KREME DONUTS Japan has unveiled its screamingly delicious new Halloween themed donut selection, the “KRISPY KREME SKREMES!,” which will be available nationwide between October 1 and October 31 2021.

Halloween Jack Caramel & Custard

Blood Strawberry Skull

Halloween Dozen (12 pieces)

Halloween Half-Dozen (6 pieces)

Halloween Box (3 pieces)

Mini Box (20 pieces)

Mini Half-Box (10 pieces)

Mini Mini-Box (3 pieces) 

This year’s KKDJ Halloween selection will include a new skull donut alongside the ever-popular Jack. In addition, in the lead up to Halloween, Jack and the Skull’s expressions will become increasingly scarier between the 25 and 31st! Don’t miss out on these ever-changing designs.

First in the lineup is the ‘Halloween Jack Caramel & Custard,’ a pumpkin and caramel flavored Jack-o-Lantern which returns every Halloween. The ‘Blood Strawberry Skull,’ released this year, featured a monster with a milky white chocolate face, with sweet white and bitter dark chocolate eyes. In addition, you can order ‘Halloween Sprinkles’ for a colorful Halloween aesthetic, and ‘Spider Chocolate Custard” which will turn your custard into a spider web shape!

The ‘Halloween Dozen’ and ‘Halloween Half-Dozen,’ which feature four types of Halloween donut, and the famous ‘Original Glazed®’ will be served in limited edition Halloween themed boxes for the season. The ‘Mini-box’ donuts have even transformed into tiny monsters! Be sure to check out these colorful and exciting new sweets.

A new collaboration is bringing sports and demon-slaying together! For the SPORTS2021 x Demon Slayer event, the popular series is partnering with three sports leagues: the NPB, J-League, and B.League. Goods are now available for the long-awaited collaboration between Niigata’s ALBIREX soccer team and Demon Slayer, so sports and anime fans should snag some merchandise before it’s all gone!

Items are available to pre-order online now until 2:00 on September 27, 2021. 

ALBIREX x Demon Slayer T-Shirt: ¥3,600 (Tax Included)

ALBIREX x Demon Slayer Face Towel: ¥2,100 (Tax Included)

ALBIREX x Demon Slayer Mini Towel: ¥600 (Tax Included)

ALBIREX x Demon Slayer Ribbon Magnet: ¥1,980 (Tax Included) 

ALBIREX x Demon Slayer Mug: ¥1,800 (Tax Included) 

Don’t miss out on these one-of-a-time items!

Have a Nice TOKYO! (HanT), a new tourist communication center promoting both local and nationwide events and attractions, celebrated its grand opening on September 14, 2021. 

This new facility aims to provide assistance and guidance to both domestic and international visitors, helping with matters relating to sightseeing, culture, food, and technology. It’s three main functions are tourism assistance, providing useful and necessary information, and selling goods from around the country. As the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a major blow against the country’s tourism industry, this new venture was opened in a conveniently-located space, well-suited for the important task of helping the local and nationwide economies when the country opens to travel once again. The nearby Marunouchi Happ. Stand & Gallery, a cafe, will act as a partner facility and will offer a special menu linked to the project. 

Tourism Advice & Guidance

Information Counter

The information counter provides helpful information for tourists regarding events, stores, and facilities in the area. In the future, a variety of tours will be available to choose from, highlighting the attractions of the region, as well as providing ticket sales, luggage storage, and sightseeing vehicles such as buses and rentable bikes. 

Travel Information & Assistance

POP UP ZONE

In the POP UP ZONE, visitors can experience all sorts of unique things from around Japan using the five senses! See, hear, and taste different areas of the country using crafts, food, and technology, and get personalized recommendations regarding where to explore next!

Sale of Goods

SHOP ZONE

See, smell, or taste something you liked in the POP UP ZONE? The SHOP ZONE will offer tons of different specialty products from all around Japan!

Be sure to stop by the next time you’re in Tokyo!

Starting September 23, Japanese cell phone company au will be releasing a new collaborative project with the globally popular Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series! 

The new experience will allow users with a smartphone to transform into characters from the show, and reenact popular battle scenes from both the anime series and film. The collaboration is taking place to celebrate the return of the series in 2021 for it’s second season. 

Demon Slayer x au AR Experience

Augmented Reality: Become Your Favorite Character!

Using a special Instagram AR filter, users can mix different backgrounds and effects from the Demon Slayer series to make it feel as though you’re a part of the action!

Famous Quotes from the Series

By pressing a button on the special collaboration site, users can enjoy a collection of 45 random vertical videos featuring their favorite characters saying their famous lines. Take a screenshot of these clips and use one as your wallpaper!

Online Puzzle Game Escape Mission: Escape from the Mugen Train

In this fun escape game, users become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps sent to the Mugen Train to help rescue passengers. 

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

*「煉獄」の「煉」は「火+東」が正しい表記となります。

American music-themed restaurant Hard Rock Cafe has locations across Japan, and the Ueno location is now selling some very cute black-and-white goods. At the nearby Ueno Zoo, the oldest in Japan, two giant pandas were recently born, and that’s cause for celebration! Limited quantities of these goods will be on sale at the physical location and online starting September 18, 2021!

Twin Pandas Pin #1

Twin Pandas Pin #2 (Only available at Online Shop.) 

These two original pins depicting the two newly-born pandas with the Hard Rock’s signature guitar are available in gold (online only) and silver. 

Panda T-shirt

Grab one of these before they sell out–they’re going quick! This cute original design will look perfect as you walk through the zoo gates, ready to show your love for pandas and rock music. 

Guests presenting an Ueno Zoo ticket stub or annual pass at the Ueno Hard Rock Cafe location will receive 10% off. (Full details available on the Hard Rock Cafe website.)

Congrats to the happy family!

A new collaborative exhibition is coming to WHAT CAFE in Tokyo! The WHAT CAFE x DELTA EXHIBITION -EXPANSION- will run from September 25 until October 24, and will give guests some incredible pieces to ponder while sipping some warm coffee. 

WHAT CAFE is an art and culture facility opened with the goal of supporting artists with promising futures in the industry. Guests can wander the gallery while enjoying a meal or beverage, with some art being available for purchase.

Flash FINCH – Ji-hae Park

Combination-cut in 2 – Saki Matsumura

Galloping on a Free-floating Planet – Yui Suzuki

real screen – Takuro Sugiyama

This exhibition was inspired by WHAT CAFE’s interest in the activities of DELTA, an art project that helps plan and organize art fairs and exhibitions around Japan. It’s mission is to create a new place connecting galleries, artists, and collectors, while also breaking the norm and making a space that is more accessible. The WHAT CAFE x DELTA EXHIBITION -EXPANSION- will feature 60 works by 17 cutting-edge artists carefully selected from seven different galleries based in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. The showing will ask visitors to expand their minds and become more flexible when pondering the meaning behind each of the pieces on display.

Does this art-gallery-meets-cafe sound like your kind of place? 

Museum-Hotel Gajoen Tokyo will be opening pre-orders for their Patisserie ‘Shiori Kyou 1928’ 2021 Christmas cake selection between October 1 and December 17.

The theme for this year’s Christmas cakes is “Art Temptation,” with seven unique, artistic cakes to choose from. The hotel is full of Japanese beauty and artistry, while the cake line-up features gorgeous cultural motifs and traditional crafts. 

Tamatebako *Limited to 10 cakes

First Layer

Second Layer

A shortcake with strawberries from Kayama Farm.

Pralines & Pistachio

Cassis & Fig

Coffee & Tonka

Fromage & Cru

Stollen

This year’s lineup, of course, features the standard seasonal products; First is the Tamate Box, a two-tiered box made of chocolate, filled with cakes, gateaux, pound cake, and more. The Kayama Farm Strawberry Shortcake is their most popular product and is covered in high quality brand strawberries. The Stollen, with its spicy accents, is perfect for adults.

Alongside them is a selection of four new products; The Praline & Pistachio cake, which is covered in poinsettia and pine-shaped chocolate, and the Cassis & Fig is formed of four delicate, paper-cutting inspired layers. The Coffee & Tonka has a mature, bitter flavor and is topped with a Christmas tree, while the Fromage & Cru is made of a refreshing combination of cheese and apples.

Enjoy a precious moment that can be enjoyed by both adults and children with these beautiful and artistic cakes!

In a new fall collaboration, the prestigious Hosei School of Noh Theater, established during the Muromachi Period, and photographer Hiroshi Seo will present a unique blend of traditional culture. ‘Experience Noh and Art in Autumn ~Noh at Night: The Tale of the Heike ‘Kiyotsune’ x BEYOND PHOTO BY HIROSHI SEO’ will begin for four limited showings starting September 24, and will connect the photographer’s work ‘BEYOND’ with the theme of water present in the classic tale of Heike. Ancient and modern will overlap during this special autumn event, so don’t miss it if you’re in Tokyo!

The Story of The Tale of Heike ‘Kiyotsune’

During the 12th century, the Minamoto and Taira clans were at war. Awazu-no-Saburo returns to the capital after the Taira were defeated in battle, carrying with him a keepsake for his lord Kiyotsune’s wife: a lock of hair that Kiyotsune left before committing suicide. Saburo visits the wife, and upon learning of Kiyotsune’s death, she can barely stand the sight of his hair, ordering that the keepsake be returned to a shrine in Kyushu. Upon falling asleep, she sees his ghost in her dreams, and they argue over what has occurred. Kiyotsune recounts his final days, choosing suicide by drowning over capture and defeat. He is then blessed, and finds his way from Hell to eternal enlightenment. 

BEYOND PHOTO BY HIROSHI SEO Exhibition

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. Yet even during this turmoil engulfing the world, artists were trying to make a new path. Photography is but a fragment of the real world, but through the eyes of the one taking the photo, it becomes an art form, and allows us to see the world in a different way. For this exhibition, Hiroshi Seo will present several new works, including photographs from Sado Island, the home of Noh, where one-third of all Noh stages in Japan are located. This chain of water-inspired images will weave together with the story of Kiyotsune, and will tell a brand-new story for modern audiences. 

AniCook, a project using anime to make cooking more fun, is already holding it’s 9th collaboration with a popular series. This time, characters from the popular anime series Bungo Stray Dogs are coming to cook up some fall treats at Shinsaibashi PARCO in Osaka from October 1 until October 26! 

Menu

Sticker gifted to guests who purchase a meal or dessert (8 varieties) / Postcard gifted to guests ordering a drink (8 varieties) 

Original Merchandise

Acrylic Stands (8 varieties) / 8-pack set

Pins (8 varieties) / 8-pack set

Acrylic Keychain (8 varieties) / 8-pack set

Acrylic Muddler (8 varieties) / 8-pack set

100 Limited-Edition pouches (2 varieties) available by lottery: Those spending over ¥5,000 at the cafe will be entered.

CookpadTV is behind the cafe, and continues to lead the way in quality collaboration cafes across Japan. This time, popular characters from Bungo Stray Dogs are serving up their favorite autumn-themed foods, inspiring visitors to enjoy cooking just a little more. Themed meals and sweets will be available, while the beverages are each themed on the character’s abilities. Be sure to grab some of the limited-edition merchandise only available during the event! These can now be pre-ordered on the cookpadLive cafe Online Store. 

Which character would you like to see in the kitchen?