Fans of Japan and Japanese culture may know that Kobe’s food scene is not to be missed. A new restaurant, KANBE, is now open and tells the story of the city’s food culture. The grand opening was on November 30 in Sannomiya.  

The story begins with water, the source of Kobe’s food. The city’s famed fare like Kobe beef, Suma salmon, and seasonal vegetables  will take the stage through storytelling, projection mapping, and uniquely planed dishes. Ingredients are served to guests the same day that they are delivered to the restaurant, offering the freshest possible experience. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks made in Kobe, including Nada Gogou sake and Kobe wine. These are made using Nunobiki water from the Rokko mountain range, meaning that everything guests enjoy was truly made in Kobe.

At KANBE, visitors will chat with a storyteller who weaves the story of Kobe’s food into the experience. A chef himself, he is well-versed in cooking methods, food history, and nutrition. 

The 18-meter-long counter adds to the experience by displaying seasonal scenery, the water of Nunobiki, and the night view from Mt. Rokko. Nature sounds, like the murmuring of Nunobiki Falls and the chirping of birds, also echo through the restaurant in time with the projection mapping, creating an atmosphere that feels alive.

Why not come enjoy a new kind of dining experience?

On July 18, the upscale teppanyaki and yakiniku restaurant Honten Yamashina opened a new location in Ginza! The hybrid restaurant has taken over the entire top floor of GINZA PLACE, which is directly connected to Ginza Station. Overlooking the Ginza 4-chome intersection, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy some authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Honten Yamashina mainly uses fully-matured Omi beef, the highest grade available among Shiga Prefecture’s top-tier beef, from Okazaki Farm. The cows are allowed to fatten for a considerable amount of time and live stress-free lives for over 40 months. Less than 1% of all Wagyu cattle are shipped after 24 months of age, and this delectable meat is characterized by its sharp taste and fattiness. 

Luxurious Wagyu and Sea Urchin Sushi

Early Summer Plate to Enjoy with Seasonal Flowers

Selected Extra-thick Beef Tongue Steak Made with Refined Attention to Detail

Grilled Spiny Lobster Made on a Charcoal Grill

The Playful Yamashina Wagyu Slider

Melt-in-your-mouth Sweet Amala Tomato (Vegetable of the Day)

Hand-selected Omi Beef Steak

Truffle Omurice

Japanese-style Teppanyaki

Guests can enjoy authentic Japanese teppanyaki cuisine with a modern twist. While sitting at the contour, visitors will enjoy a live performance by Taku Osada, a teppanyaki chef with over 20 years of experience.  

The wide variety of meat can be enjoyed in a number of different ways, whether it be raw, grilled, stewed, or properly cooked. From tongue and rump to filet and sirloin, you won’t leave hungry. Visitors can also enjoy seafood and seasonal Japanese vegetables along with their meat, and the flowers and leaves that adorn each plate will change depending on the time of year.

In addition to rare teppanyaki dishes like skirt steak and 3cm-thick beef tongue, Honten Yamashina also offers some playful dishes such as sliders. As the temperature differs on different parts of the steel cooking plate, each item can be cooked to a temperature that maximizes its specific flavor. Honten Yamashina also has a massive cellar housin over 1,000 bottles of wine and hard-to-find spirits. 

Japanese-style Yakiniku

For those looking for a more private experience, guests can enjoy yakiniku in a completely separate room. Each private room has a grill that will cook meat to the perfect temperature, and only at Honten Yamashina can you enjoy fully-matured Omi beef. The signature cutlet sandwich is made with chateaubriand cooked at a low temperature and deep-fried in a thin batter, then served on crispy bread with a soft, fluffy interior.

Teppanyaki and yakiniku are typically thought of as meat-based dishes, but the restaurant can accommodate vegetarian guests if contacted in advance. 

When Japan opens up to tourism, will you be visiting this incredible restaurant in the heart of Tokyo?

A special pop-up store celebrating the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film is coming to four locations in Tokyo and Kanagawa! The film is scheduled to be released on June 11, 2022, and fans can pick up some exclusive merchandise at Shinjuku Station, Kawasaki Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Akihabara Station. The dates are listed below!

Exclusive Products

Special Bonus

Product Lineup

Shop Displays

The pop-up shop will feature exclusive items decorated with popular imagery from the Dragon Ball series. Fans will also be able to grab some home goods themed around the Capsule House where Bulma lives!

As a purchase bonus, customers spending ¥2,500 or more will receive a special holographic sticker!

Each venue will be decorated, so enjoy taking some photos with your family and friends.

The Ryokan Tokyo Yugawara, a traditional-style Japanese inn and hot spring located in Kanagawa Prefecture, will open on March 18, 2022. The hot springs in the area have a storied history, appearing in the oldest collection of Japanese poems from the year 759 AD and loved by great writers such as Natsume Souseki and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. There is also a cafe inviting visitors to enjoy delicious meals as they relax in the springs.

Onsen Dojo operates and plans hot spring facilities, including the ‘Ofuro Cafe’ brand, resort facilities, and more. The company also provides support for local business investments. 

Curious George is getting his first themed restaurant for a limited time! The Curious George Kitchen is scheduled to open at Tokyo Solamachi on March 17 and will feature an entirely original menu of George-themed dishes. Unique merchandise will also be available!

Food Menu (Selected Items)

‘Good Night?’ Curry Hamburger Steak & Omelette

‘Balance, Balance!’ Meat Sauce Pasta

‘Hundley!?’ Hot Dog

‘The Manager’s Recommendation!’ Burger & Pasta Plate

Dessert Menu (Selected Items)

‘The Wobbly Tower!’ 7 Plain & Chocolate Pancakes

‘Jiggle Wiggle!’ Caramel Almond Pudding Gnocchi

‘Let’s Paint!’ Sweet Crepe Plate

Take-out Menu

‘I love the Man in the Yellow Hat!’ Cannoli

‘Colorful!’ Fruit Panna Cotta

Drinks (Selected Items)

Art Collection Au Lait

Original Merchandise at a Glance

Visitor Bonus: Commemorative Coaster (Not for Sale)

The pancake tower is not only delicious but perfect for posting to social media! Those wanting to social distance can also order from the take-out menu to enjoy some tasty treats at home.

Curious George merchandise exclusive to the restaurant will be available, including kitchen goods. Some can actually be used while enjoying your meal at Tokyo Solamachi, so be sure to stop by!

Sankt Gallen Taproom, a bar directly owned by the original Sankt Gallen microbrewery, has begun selling special menu items to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Honatsugi MYLORD until March 31, 2022. Since ancient times, black cats have been a symbol of prosperous business, and fittingly, the new menu features a black cat motif. 

The 40th-anniversary beer, Congratulations Nya~ England IPA, is a New England IPA-style beer, a style that originated in the New England region of the eastern United States. The orange-yellow liquid was inspired by the eyes of a black cat glowing in the dark. The adorable cat ear burger buns are baked at the city’s Good Aging Store. The black color is made by adding unsweetened black cocoa to the flour.

Pola Museum of Art opened in September 2002, its huge collection amassed by the second-generation founder of Pola, Tsuneshi Suzuki (1930-2000), over a period of about 40 years after World War II. The museum has since held various special exhibitions based on this collection–for the 10th anniversary in 2012, the Forest Promenade was opened along with a collection of outdoor sculptures, the opening of a contemporary art gallery, and more hands-on exhibitions. From April 9 until September 6, 2022, the POLA will host an exhibition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the venue’s opening. This event will focus on new additions to the gallery, including works by Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Gerhard Richter.

Water Lilies. Claude Monet, 1907. Oil/Canvas. (93.3 x 89.2 cm)

In planning the exhibition, the theme chosen was ‘light.’ Impressionist painters such as Monet were experts at capturing light, and this is easily seen in Water Lillies.

Expanding the Existing Collection, New Pieces Connect the Modern and Contemporary Periods

Woman with a Parasol. Robert Delaunay. 1913. Oil/Canvas. (123.5 × 90.3 cm)

While the collection is largely composed of modern Western and Japanese paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, the new additions include postwar contemporary pieces, with some on display for the first time ever.

The Largest Project in the Museum’s History

Woman with a Mirror. Fernand Léger. 1920. Oil/Canvas. (55.6 x 38.7 cm)

Woman Reading by the Window. Vilhelm Hammershøi. 1899. Oil/Canvas. (46.2×51.0 cm)

In order to showcase as much of the existing and new collections as possible, the exhibition will be held in five exhibition rooms in the museum, the Atrium Gallery, which was newly established in 2017 to showcase contemporary art, the lobby space, and even the forest promenade. This is the largest event since the opening of the Pola Museum of Art.

From Impressionism to the Present Day: Works Featuring ‘Light’

Abstract Painting. Gerhard Richter. 1987. Oil/Canvas. (200.7 × 200.8 cm) © Gerhard Richter 2021（20102021）

The exhibition introduces numerous works related to light from the height of the Impressionist movement to the present day. Be sure to visit if you can!

The Nordisk Village Goto Islands glamping facility has started offering tent saunas to further heighten the guest experience. 

This is the first time a tent sauna has been offered in a lodging facility in the Goto Islands. The main body of the sauna tent is made by MORZH, and sauna enthusiasts will appreciate the well-researched specifications and execution.

A wood-burning stove is used in the sauna, and guests can adjust the temperature while enjoying the view of the dancing flames. The facility also offers an original aroma oil scented with Camellia and herbs, perfect for relaxation.

Zero gravity chairs are also available for outdoor air bathing, and visitors can enjoy lounging under the starry sky and swaying trees. Why not travel to these islands in Nagasaki Prefecture for your next getaway?

On November 23, 2021, RADWIMPS released their new album ‘FOREVER DAZE’ on the 16th anniversary of their major-label debut. A new report has been published highlighting the first day of the band’s new tour on December 4 at Pia Arena MM. 

RADWIMPS Official Live Report

“It went by in the blink of an eye. Thank you so much for coming out. All I can do is say ‘thank you.’ There is so much more I’d love to say, but when I see all of your faces like this, all I can manage to get out is ‘thank you.’ Meeting each and every one of you makes this all more real. I’ve been waiting to be able to do this for such a long time. Thank you.” 

This is how vocalist Yojiro Noda thanked the audience with all his heart and soul at the end of the show. The first day of the ‘FOREVER IN THE DAZE TOUR 2021-2022’ was a joyous occasion after nearly two years of the pandemic, with fans gathering to praise the band’s first new album in three years ‘FOREVER DAZE.’ 

Day one took place on December 4 at Pia Arena MM in Kanagawa. In addition to RADWIMPS members, drummers Mizuki Mori and Masafumi Eno, as well as guitarists Taiking (Suchmos) and Mizuki Masuda (miida) joined the band for this tour only. Since the tour has just started, I won’t spoil the set list and production, but the ensemble brought some incredible energy to the stage. RADWIMPS seemed to take on new life with each and every song performed, and the audience was slowly and steadily inspired by both Noda’s incredible vocals and the powerful instrumentals. As Noda said in a comment regarding the new album, “No matter how hard things get, I can always make music.” 

How will the new songs found on FOREVER DAZE fit in with the band’s classic tracks? The performance features graphics from visual artist Kento Yamada that will wow audiences more than they could ever anticipate. The curtain has risen on this new RADWIMPS. Get ready to see them in a whole new light. 

（text： Shoichi Miyake）

The ‘FOREVER IN THE DAZE TOUR 2021-2022’ is coming to six locations across Japan for twelve shows total. For more information, check out the official website!

The huggable next-generation pet robot LOVOT was first released one year ago, and to celebrate, some limited time merchandise and sweets are now on sale!

LOVOT LOVOT Anniversary Dessert Plate, available until October 31, 2021

Autumn Only! LOVOT LOVOT Chicken Plate with Mushroom Sauce, available until November 30, 2021

Coaster / Postcard / Clear Folder

LOVOT Cafe Original Coaster / LOVOT Cafe Original Smartphone Case

LOVOT Cafe Original Tote Bag / LOVOT Cafe Original T-Shirt (Unisex)

LOVOT Cafe Original Case / LOVOT Cafe Original Handtowel 

LOVOT Cafe Original Ballpen with Charm / LOVOT Cafe Original Mug

LOVOT Cafe Original American-style Cookie / LOVOT Cafe Original Natural Plate

LOVOT Cafe Original Pin

Featured in the special Dessert Plate is a loveable cake with LOVOT’s face, along with mini rolls, mini cupcakes, and vanilla ice cream with fruit on top. The LOVOT cake is made with milk chocolate and coffee mousse, along with chocolate streusel for a more mature flavor that isn’t overly sweet. Those who visit the store on or after October 1 will receive a limited-edition novelty drawing while supplies last. Coasters and postcards will also be given away on a first-come, first-served basis from October 1 until October 15, while clear folders will be gifted on or after October 16. 

The goods for this collection are based on the theme of ‘LOVE is here,’ so please look forward to these sweet collectibles and many more years of LOVOT!

The colorfully painted street pianos seen around Japan are set to make an appearance in Kanagawa Prefecture! Two of Yamaha’s upright LovePianos will be installed at two stations along the Hakone Ropeway from September 12 until September 25. During this time, anyone can freely play these pianos at Sounzan Station and Togendai Station. From the five distinctly designed LovePiano designs, numbers 1 and 2 will be installed for this event.

LovePiano #1

LovePiano #2

The Hakone Ropeway connects Sounzan Station and Togendai Station, a distance of about 4 kilometers, in 25 minutes. Those travelling this unique cable car line can catch glimpses of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko along the journey.

From March 18 until March 31, one of the LovePianos was installed at Sounzan Station to massive crowds and fanfare. Yamaha Music Japan has continued installing pianos in open spaces such as train stations, airports, and other facilities as part of the LovePiano project, which promotes activities to get the masses interested in piano playing. So far, LovePianos have popped up at over 60 locations, including Shinjuku Station, Shinagawa Station, Sapporo Station, and Osaka International Airport.

LovePiano will also be installed at Odawara Sannomaru Hall and Umemaru Square in the HaRuNe Odawara underground shopping mall from September 5 until the 17th.

Would you want to play one of these pianos in public?

​It may seem like a strange collaboration, but RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto is teaming up with Sega Toys to offer a limited-time hotel stay guests will never forget. From August 12, 2021 to March 31, 2022, visitors can stay in a tropical jungle-themed room beneath the stars. Sega Toys is well-known for their ‘Homestar’ series of home-use planetariums, and the new ‘twinkling stars’ functionality will make its debut in this magical room. 

Starry Sky Glamping Room

Sega Toys ‘Homestar,’ On Sale August 12, 2021: Guest Room

‘Galaxy Ttungcaron,’ created by RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto’s Chef Pâtissier

Red Ring Solar Eclipse Ttungcaron

This unique ‘Starry Sky Glamping at the Hotel’ plan will commemorate the launch of a new ‘Homestar’ home-use planetarium, set to go on sale August 12, 2021. These popular items have sold over 1.7 million units, and those who book this jungle-themed room will be able to go stargazing while in the comfort of their hotel room. Originally, this plan was concocted by female staff at the hotel as a way to provide comfort and happiness to those who have been unable to travel easily, or who have experienced lifestyle changes due to the current situation around the world.

A reservation won’t have guests walking into just any hotel room: one room has been completely stripped of furniture, and is completely decorated with imitation greenery to create an immersive jungle atmosphere. Tents, rugs, and lanterns are all provided, making it feel like you’re really in the great outdoors. When it’s time to sleep, feel free to use the Dream Switch, which projects moving picture-books onto the ceiling–perfect for children! If you have a sweet tooth, try the scrumptious ttungcarons developed by the hotel’s Chef Pâtissier and currently hugely popular on social media. The outer space theme continues with the limited ‘Homestar’ ttungcaron set, featuring a Red Ring Solar Eclipse sweet, and the Sega Toys collaboration ttungcaron, with images of the Earth, the Moon, and Jupiter!

This hotel glamping experience is the perfect way to refresh and recharge. Would you give it a try?