Five popular characters from the popular horror fantasy series GeGeGe no Kitaro have been transformed into Daruma dolls! Two Daruma Land locations in Fukushima Prefecture have begun selling these curious items, with sales going live on August 26, 2022. Fans can choose from Kitaro, Neko Musume, Nezumi Otoko, Sunakake Babaa, or Konaki Jijii, and each Daruma doll features an entirely new image of each character’s face drawn by popular illustrator and creator Tsumupapa. 

The company producing the dolls, Shirakawa Daruma, has been creating Daruma for over 300 years, and each authentic Japanese piece is produced by a craftsman adhering to traditional techniques. The palm-sized Daruma is around 45mm, perfect for displaying on a desk or shelf. Each comes with a cushion made of Aizu cotton, a well-known craft in Fukushima. These cushions were made to resemble Kitaro’s sleeveless kimono jacket from the series!

In conjunction with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 31-show nationwide tour celebrating her 10th anniversary, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. At each stop, Kyary collaborates with a local company to help bring more attention to smaller regions and businesses. The details of the artist’s collaboration project in Fukushima have been revealed ahead of Kyary’s performance there on May 20, 2022.

In Fukushima, Kyary is teaming up with Kourakuen, one of Japan’s leading ramen chains dating back to 1954. For this collaboration’s logo, Kourakuen’s logo has been transformed as an homage to Kyary’s 2012 song Fashion Monster. The fan-favorite track has appeared in ad campaigns and is a must-play for the singer at concerts! 

Known for its tasty ramen and gyoza, Kourakuen has been a local favorite for almost 70 years. While the menu hasn’t changed too much since the early days, the chain is known for releasing some unique offerings, like chocolate Ramen on Valentine’s Day and natto miso ramen this spring. 

For this collaboration, fans can grab a branded Ramen Monster Spoon, perfect for slurping up your favorite bowl of ramen.

Those who want to grab this item will want to head to the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project online store by May 29. The spoon will also be sold in limited quantities at the Iwaki Aryan Arts & Culture Exchange Center Lobby in Fukushima on May 20. 

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. It will be available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project online store until May 29!

Fukushima Mono Mappu, a project run in collaboration with BEAMS JAPAN and Fukushima Prefecture, has revealed the contents of its 33rd installment! To promote the charms of Japan in collaboration with Fukushima Prefecture, BEAMS JAPAN has begun selling four new products, including specially-crafted Miharu Papiere-mache Ultraman masks.

Takashiba Deco Yashiki Daikokuya BEAMS JAPAN Special Products

Takashiba Deco Yashiki Daikokuya

Daruma dolls, self-righting dolls, and Akabeko toys are all known as pieces of Fukushima’s local culture. Takashiba Deco Yashiki brings together papier-mache craftsmen to create pieces of Miharu papier-mache, a traditional craft in Fukushima Prefecture for the last 300 years. BEAMS JAPAN has collaborated with a workshop that continues to make these local toys to this day to bring customers four styles of custom-made products. In honor of Fukushima-born Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Ultraman, the character’s mask has been cast in local Miharu papier-mache. 

The Fukushima Mono Mappu 2022 pop-up shop is now open at the BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku location! Visitors can buy special kitchenware along with local foods and beverages from Fukushima Prefecture, so be sure to visit!

Held within a charming wooden school building, the 16th Nishiaizu Art Village Exhibition is now open, featuring a large collection of works by the general public. The event will be open until October 10, 2021. 

The school building in question was closed in 2002 and is now used as a base for a number of activities throughout the year, such as galleries, local cultural exchanges, and a headquarters for green tourism. The small town of Nishiaizu in Fukushima prefecture is known as the ‘front door’ ‘to the Iide Mountains, and over 86 percent of the area is composed of mountains and forests. What could be more inspiring for artistic endeavors? 

In this year’s exhibition, 105 pieces are on display, with 57 contributed by the youth division and 48 from the general division. Young people and art lovers are invited to submit paintings and other works each year, promoting cultural exchange with visitors and highlighting talented creators from the area. At the event’s Maboroshi Restaurant, guests can enjoy curry, sandwiches, and other food and drinks on Saturday and Sunday during the exhibition period. 

WAX&WANE is the name of a new project that has launched in an effort to support ARCADE TOKYO, an ‘online shopping arcade’ stocking countless must-grab products from Tokyo, due to the impact COVID-19 has had on participating businesses having to close down, resulting in a drastic decrease in shipping and consumption.

12 breweries pour 12 unique sake beverages

Pair your drinks with foods outside Japanese cuisine to change things up

Bottle clothes with designs showcasing each sakes’ personality

The project was launched on June 10 via the crowdfunding website CAMPFIRE as a way to pay back thanks to 12 sake breweries in Japan who produce sake you can’t get anywhere else. It aims to spread the word of Japan’s sake culture the world to preserve its future and create even more brands, thereby adding new value to sake.

As part of the project, tie dye creator YUKIDYE, who has worked with many different street brands, has produced a collection of tie dye cloths which take inspiration from each of the 12 sake flavours and the characteristics of each brand.

Yukihana Lamy, a Virtual YouTuber associated with hololive, launched her own Japanese sake project in February to bring her dream to life of making her very own sake by hand. That sake has now been released by the name of Yuki-Yo-Zuki, a premium brand daiginjo sake.

The sake was created in collaboration with Meiri Shurui, a Japanese sake brewery which has been around since the Edo Period. Every single ingredient in the drink was considered from scratch including the type of rice, the ratios, yeast, alcohol content, and so on. The sake is made by hand in a brewery located in Mito, Ibaraki.

Yuki-Yo-Zuki uses Fukushogun Daiginjo as its base, a sake that won Gold in the Sake category at IWC2020. It’s made with a combination of Yamada Nishiki and Biyama Nishiki rice as well as ginjoka, the highest quality daiginjo, known for its light spicy kick and fruity notes. The bottle features an illustration of Yukihana Lamy drawn by Abara Heiki, an artist Lamy likes, with a fusion of black and silver inspired by the meaning of drink’s name: ‘Snowy Evening Moon.’

After the success of the hit Ikkon-Fugetsu event held at Perie Chiba Ekiue Hiroba last autumn, a permanent nihonshu Japanese sake lounge is set to open at JR Chiba Station on April 28, offering the same kind of atmosphere as inside a luxury airport lounge.

CHIBASAKE.COM SHOP with PERIE Onliine SHOP

A sake shop will also open at the same time at the lounge where customers can scroll through different drinks they’d like to purchase using their smartphone or tablet. You can purchase sake that you enjoyed drinking in the lounge as well as pick up exclusive and original beverages available online only at CHIBASAKE, sake from different regions across Japan, and more.

That’s not all for customers’ sake experience however. Umami is a big part of Japanese food culture, and so in order that all who visit can enjoy their drink to the fullest, Japanese wineglass makers RIEDEL, who have been in the business for 260 years, have provided their special junmaishu glasses which were developed over a period of eight years. Food will also be on the menu made with ingredients local to Chiba Prefecture, and more.

As part of The Pokémon Company’s ongoing Poké Lid project to place Pokémon manholes around the country, Fukushima has welcomed new Chansey design lids in nine places across the prefecture.

The first series of Poké Lids were place in the city of Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture back in December 2018. They were Eevee lids, and saw designs for all of the Pokémon’s evolutions. All of the Poké Lids feature completely original Pokémon designs making each individual one the only one in the world. Until now, 87 had been placed across 7 prefectures in Japan, with more set to roll out throughout 2020.

Back in March of this year, The Pokémon Company laid down Sandshrew and Alola Sandshrew manholes in Tottori Prefecture.

In February last year, Chansey was appointed as the “Fukushima Support Pokémon” for Fukushima prefecture help to support the prefecture by promoting information about it around Japan. To date, Chansey has toured the tourist and sightseeing hot spots of Fukushima, performed at events, and worked as PR across the country.

There are nine Chansey Poké Lid designs, all of which feature original artwork. There are plans to make each of them PokéStops for the mobile game Pokémon GO in the future.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.

SAKEICE is an ice cream shop that offers a new kind of ice cream experience, combining Japanese sake and alcohol together with the frozen treat. The shop opened in Akusaka, Tokyo in March this year.

However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the store has had to close temporarily. SAKEICE wants to cheer people up during these turbulent times with their ice cream, and has therefore announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign so they can set up a website where people can order ice cream in Japan and have it delivered to them.

I tried out their ice cream

Otokoyama / Nihonshu Ice

SAKEICE’s ice cream is laced with lots of Japanese alcohol. I tried the Otokoyama and the Nihonshu Ice, the latter of which is an original ice cream flavour exclusive to SAKEICE. They both contains around 4% alcohol. I were curious exactly how they would taste.

I started with the Nihonshu Ice. The moment the ice cream hits your tongue, your taste buds are met with its smooth texture, and your nose is filled with the full bodied flavour of nihonshu. The velvety texture on your tongue as it melts is to die for. The Otokoyama has a refreshing kick to it when compared to the Nihonshu Ice. It’s creamy, but the aftertaste is refreshing, so we recommend it for people who aren’t a fan of sweet treats. Both are sure to leave you feeling satisfied, and maybe a little flushed afterwards.

These ice creams contain alcohol, so keep that in mind when coming here with minors, kids, pregnant women, or if you’re driving.

They have non-alcoholic flavours too!

Matcha / Cherry Blossom

Of course, they have non-alcoholic options too. I tried out the matcha and cherry blossom flavours.

The matcha one has an irresistible bitterness layered inside the sweetness. You get that real rich matcha taste too. The cherry blossom ice cream is a cute light pink colour and has a subtle sweetness to it. If you don’t like alcohol then you’ll definitely want to try one of delights.

Nekoma Ski Resort, which is located on the northern slope of the Urabandai area, is holding a special spring ski event from March 30, 2020 called “Haru Nekoma ~Nekoma GO! GO! GO!”

The spring season at Nekoma Ski Resort is the time to enjoy the compacted snow berms, with lots of different kinds of berms to try out. So skiers can enjoy the snow berms that pile up in the early morning, the resort is open from from as early as 5:55, and there’s also snow lifts, so they can maximise their piste riding experience to the fullest. Skiers can enjoy the full view of Mount Bandaiーwhich is officially listed as one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japanーas well as Lake Inawashiro too as they hit the downhill ski trails.

Haru Nekoma ~Nekoma GO! GO! GO!

Running: March 30, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Times: [Weekdays] 7:30-15:00 / [Weekends & Public Holidays] 5:55-15:00

Lift Price: [1 Day Ticket] Adults ¥3,818 / Junior & High School Students ¥3,091 / Elementary School Students ¥1,909 (Before Tax)

Note: Dates and times subject to change depending on weather conditions

Ride the springtime pistes of Alts Bandai too

For the 2019-2020 season, you can ride the snow footpath that connects Nekoma Ski Resort to Alts Bandai. Go through the gate leading to it, walk through the Japanese beech trees for about 15 minutes, and you’ll arrive at the pistes in the deepest part of Alts Bandai which opens up to a spectacular view of Mount Bandai and the town of Inawashiro. Alts Bandai will be shut from March 29, but since there is still plenty of snow to ski down in the high-up pistes even in April, some of the lifts will still be operated. Enjoy a springtime walk and a springtime ski with the beautiful scenery before you with this special ski route.

Running: From March 20, 2020 until the snow melts

Gate Times: 10:00-13:30 (Last entries from Nekoma Ski Resort at 12:00)

Price: Free

Available Courses: Frozen 1, 2, 3 / Peak Lower 3 / Peak Lower 4

Note: A valid day ticket from Nekoma Ski Resort is required

Nekoma Terrace

Bask in the springtime weather at the foot of the pistes in the Nekoma Terrace which has its own bar. After an early morning ski, take a break and relax at the terrace with a drink in hand and soak up the scenery around you as the temperature warms through the day.

Spring Nekoma Terrace

Time: 10:00-14:00

Price: Alcohol ¥454 / Soft Drinks ¥182 (Before Tax)

Location: Nekoma Ski Resort Centre House

Spring discount tickets are also available, which can also be used at Alts Bandaiーwhich has the biggest pistes in Japanーuntil March 29. Ride across 189 hectares and enjoy 26 courses.

Spring Discount Tickets

Available: February 1, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Valid: March 1, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Price: Adults (20-23 Years) ¥20,000 / Junior & High School Students ¥10,909 / Elementary School Students ¥10,000 (Before Tax)

Sold at: Alts Bandai / Nekoma Ski Resort Official Homepage / Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resort sites

Fukushima 50 is an upcoming film based on the non-fiction book On the Brink: The Inside Story of Fukushima Daiichi by Japanese journalist Ryūshō Kadota. It will be released on March 6, 2020.

The film will discuss the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that occurred after the 9.0 magnitude Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 which stands as the largest ever earthquake recorded in Japanese history.

The film’s title refers to the pseudonym given by the media to the 50 employees that remained on the site after the nuclear power plant disaster. It will show the reality that the group faced that only they knew from being inside the plant and in the face of death.

Japanese actors Kōichi Satō and Ken Watanabe, who star in the upcoming film, held a campaign where they visited various locations across Fukushima Prefecture. Satō, as well as the film’s director Setsurō Wakamatsu and executive producer at KADOKAWA Shinichiro Inoue, made a courtesy call to Tomioka, a town which is still difficult for residents to return to. Tomioka is in fact one of the settings featured in Fukushima 50, and so before the films releases in March 2020ー10 years since the disaster struckーthe cast and staff went to pay their respects to the locals still living there.

The film premiered at Koriyama Theatre in Fukushima where Kōichi Satō, Ken Watanabe, and director Setsurō Wakamatsu all made an appearance. The event began with cast and staff announcing that they first wanted the people of Fukushima to watch the film before they made their comments. This was the first time the film had been shown to the general public, less than two months from its official release.

Satō, Wakamatsu, and Inoue’s appearance in Tomioka took place on January 22. Executive producer Inoue was the first to greet the people. “We have come to Tomioka today to officially announce to you the completion of the film Fukushima 50. We hope everybody, including the mayor, will see it as soon as soon as possible.” The director Wakamatsu followed, saying: “We are gratefully indebted to the people of Tomioka for letting us interview you before the film shoot. We wish for you all to see it and for it to be a film you believe the rest of the world should see.”

Satō said: “I believe there will be many people who look back on [the incident] and remember it like it was yesterday rather than something that happened a long time ago. I think there will be people who do not wish to remember as well. However, the film needed to be powerful in order for the memories of the incident to not fade away. The film may bring back pain, but I ask you to view the film as necessary so we can pass down the reality of what happened to future generations.”

Director Wakamatsu commented on Yonomori, a park in Tomioka and one of the filming locations which people are currently prohibited from entering due to the high radiation levels. “We filmed a crucial ‘cherry blossom scene’ there. Cherry blossoms are a thing of beauty, but it was really complicated when I thought about how these cherry blossoms cannot be seen by anyone.” Satō weighed in on this point. Speaking about his character Toshio Izaki, he said: “I don’t know to what extent his complex feelings are conveyed regarding his mental state when observing the cherry blossoms, but I hope that the beauty and transience of the cherry blossoms ties itself to the thought of never wanting this incident to happen again with those to watch the film.”

The Tomioka town mayor Miyamoto commenting on the team having filmed in Tomioka. “As living witnesses, for us to be able to pass this film down to future generations, I greatly felt that I wished for them to shoot the film, rather than permitting them to do it. I don’t believe Tomioka has been used as a film location or such before, so I want to go ahead with doing PR, both myself and as a town, so that everybody can see it.”

The courtesy call at Koriyama Theatre in Fukushima’s city of Koriyama took place the following day on January 23. Satō said before the audience: “I’m overwhelmed that we’ve finally come to this moment. By no means is this a film I could ask you to enjoy. I think there are some scenes in there that are very painful to watch, but I ask kindly that you see it through to the end.”

Watanabe spoke with strong words, saying: “There are many people whose lives were unfortunately changed by this incidentーpeople who cannot return to Fukushima. When we began filming, me and the rest of the cast and staff said that we would be unable to shoulder the extent of what actually happened, but we should dive head first into the movie, and understand even a little of what those people went through. From there we went and finished the film, and now we’re going around promoting it, starting with this city, and for that I am proud. This film absolutely enables one to feel connected to the future in some way.”

Director Wakamatsu followed up this comment. “We started this film project five years ago, and at last it’s finished. I am proud that we are able to say that as well as promote the film here in Fukushima. We set out to make this film faithfully and with sincerity.”

At the end of the talk, everybody gave their final comments. Satō said: “Let’s change this negative legacy into a different kind of legacy, even if just a little.” Watanabe said: “In my heart, I feel I hadn’t actively supported Fukushima until now. But, I believe I have been able to deliver that now to all of the people of Fukushima, doing what I’m best at. I hope it’s something you can get behind.”

After their closing statements, the cast and director were given a huge round of applause by the people of Fukushima.

©2020 “Fukushima 50” Production Committee

During the summer holiday period between July and September, Aquamarine Fukushima is holding a range of events and supporting children to learn about marine life independently. Come join in the festival fun with goldfish scooping games, quoits, and much more. There will also be a fair from August 11 to 15. 

Aquamarine Fukushima Rare Creatures Picture Book <Complete the pictures!>

Dates: July 13 ー September 1

Aquamarine Fukushima is displaying rare creatures and ecological systems. The children can write the name of the new creatures they discover in their own picture book. Once they have completed the picture book, it will be an original record of discoveries. As the children record the features of the animals and other organisms they discover, adults will also find this information beneficial when looking around the exhibitions. 

How to take part: Pick up an application form at the entranceway on floor 1 of the aquarium main building (Honkan). The answers will all be distributed in one place. (Subject to change).

Summer Aquamarine Fukushima: Children’s Answer Room

Open: July 20 ー September 1 

Here, all the answers to the children’s puzzles about Aquamarine life are presented in panels and explained in easy terms. Along with the picture book where the children can record interesting life forms, this is the perfect way to support independent exploration. 

Goldfish scooping and Fun Fair

You can purchase goldfish that were bred at the aquarium, or catch them yourself at the goldfish scooping area. There is also a games corner where you and your children can enjoy a range of fun activities such as quoits. 

The goldfish building, which just opened last year, will be bringing back its 60cm-large Goldfish Nebuta lantern. To raise spirits during Japan’s O-bon lantern festival, the aquarium will be open for much longer so that a lantern event can be held in the evening. 

Iwaki Traditional Vegetable Marché

Open: August 17 ー 18 (11:00 ー 14:00)

Head to the Aquamarine Aguri located outside Aquamarine Fukushima to purchase everyday vegetables as well as Japanese vegetables that have been grown through the cooperation of Iwaki farmers and Iwaki city. The traditional Iwaki marché sells mainly traditional summer vegetables such as okuimo potatoes, yardlong beans, beefsteak plants, kojiroi cucumbers, and much more. From local vegetables to healthy goods, everything is produced at Aquamarine Fukushima. 

Iwaki Fireworks Festival 

Enjoy the sight of fireworks soaring through the sky before your very eyes from the Aquarium grounds. This large-scale fireworks event will run until 9 pm on August 3.

Running: August 11 ー 15 (8pm) . 

※ Last entries: Up to 1hr before closing time. 

Come visit Aquamarine Fukushima for a perfect fun-filled day with the family!