CHOCOLATE Inc. is bringing everyone’s favorite music-eating space hamsters back to Osaka! The AUTUMN PLANET -BLUE HAMHAM POP UP SHOP- is coming to the newly-reopened Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store from October 8 until October 19, 2021. Designed by  Arimura Taishi, these cuddly characters have been featured by a number of popular stars, including Porter Robinson and Sia!

Merchandise at a Glance

The pop-up shop will feature 15 new autumn and winter products featuring the BLUE HAMHAM characters, four brothers from the planet Proxima b who have achieved massive amounts of popularity on social media. Items for sale will include a collection of hoodies and mufflers perfect for the chilly weather, new iPhone and AirPod cases, and plenty of other goodies. 

Visitors will be greeted by the only BLUE HAMHAM statues in the world, all bundled up appropriately for the season. More info on the event will be released soon, so watch out for more!

©CHOCOLATE Inc.

The Kirby Cafe, with locations in Tokyo and Hakata, began offering some brand-new menu items on September 21, including the new Waddle Dee Soy Burger & Meat Pasta with Warm Veggies. This marks a collection of new healthier options, along with some cute new dishes perfect for the fall season. 

Menu

Waddle Dee Soy Burger & Meat Pasta with Warm Veggies: ¥2,838 (Tax Included)

Souvenir Plate TOKYO

Souvenir Plate HAKATA

Waddle Dee Salmon Avocado Bowl: ¥2,178 (Tax Included)

Waddle Doo Beam Salad: ¥1,298 (Tax Included)

Kirby’s Inhaling Star Drink, Seasonal Apple Flavor (with squishy mascot): ¥980 (Tax Included)

Some adorable new dishes at the Kirby Cafe feature Waddle Dees, one of the most common characters in the video game series! The new Waddle Dee Burger is topped with avocado and made from soy, while still having the taste and texture of real meat. The spooky enemy Waddle Doo also makes his appearance in the new Waddle Doo Beam Salad! For those looking to eat healthier while enjoying time with some classic gaming characters, these new menu items are sure to satisfy. Don’t miss out on the apple-flavored drink, also available for takeout. 

In addition to these tasty new items, brand-new goods will also be popping up at each location! Keep an eye out for some unique Kirby merch coming soon. 

Osamu Harada was one of the most beloved illustrators in Japanese history, appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds. Starting on September 23, 2021, at JR Omiya Station, a total of seven pop-up shops will appear all over Tokyo to sell both nostalgic and new Osamu Goods featuring a number of his popular characters. 

The Osamu Harada exhibition began two years ago and has traveled all over Japan, attracting fans both young and old to appreciate Harada’s collection of heartwarming works. The artist passed away in 2016 at the age of 70. 

Due to a recent boom on social media regarding the illustrator’s works, these pop-up stores aim to meet the current demand for Harada merchandise. Starting last year, the artist’s works have been featured in collaboration with a number of women’s fashion brands, amping up the hype even more. Those purchasing ¥2,500 or more (tax included) at the pop-up shop will receive a limited edition sticker at random (7 varieties available). By following the official Twitter account and posting with relevant hashtags, those interested can also win an original balloon!

Exclusive Sticker (7 varieties), given to those spending ¥2,500 or more

Original Balloon gifted to those following the official Twitter account and posting with proper hashtags

Merchandise at a Glance

Cushion: ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Mini Tote Bag (3 varieties): ¥2,750 (Tax Included)

Embroidered Handkerchief (5 varieties): ¥770 (Tax Included)

*Available while supplies last.

Glowing Acrylic Stand (3 varieties): ¥5,500 (Tax Included) *Limited to 200 pieces each.

Since Osamu Harada appeared on the scene in 1976, his simple illustrations and loveable characters have continued to touch people’s hearts. The items on sale at the OSAMU GOODS Pop-Up Store blend nostalgia with current trends, offering something everyone will enjoy.

BANDAI NAMCO Amusement is hosting a character pop-up store for anime ‘Kuroko’s Basketball,’ featuring new illustrations of the characters dressed in trad style. The shop will be open from September 16 2021 at the Atre Akihabara Store, stocking original goods using the new artwork.

Kuroko’s Basketball Acrylic Stand trad style ver. (7 types): ¥1,980 each (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball Can Badge trad style ver. (7 types): ¥540 each (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball A4 Acrylic File trad style ver.: ¥550 (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball Cloth Poster trad style ver.: ¥1,800 (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball Spoon trad style ver. (7 types): ¥1,200 each (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball Fork trad style ver. (7 types): ¥1,200 each (Tax Incl.)

Kuroko’s Basketball Acrylic Board trad style ver. (7 types): ¥530 per lottery ticket, A Prize

Kuroko’s Basketball Jacket Style Acrylic Keychain trad style ver. (7 types): ¥530 per lottery ticket, B Prize

Kuroko’s Basketball Can Badge trad style ver. (7 types): ¥530 per lottery ticket, C Prize

Kuroko’s Basketball Die-cut Illustration Sheet trad style ver. (7 types): ¥530 per lottery ticket, D Prize (random)

Be sure to check out this limited shop to immerse yourself in the world of Kuroko’s Basketball!

©Fujimaki Tadatoshi / Shueisha, Kuroko’s Basketball Production Committee 

The SKY CIRCUS Sunshine 60 Observatory in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, will hold its first ‘Diamond Skytree’ photography event on October 18, 2021, with another viewing on October 20. These events will have guests up early, beginning just after 6:00AM! This is when the sun will overlap with the very tip of Tokyo Skytree in the east, and is an extremely rare sight that can only be seen a few days each year.

From sunrise to ‘Diamond Skytree’ (Taken from the Sunshine 60 Observation Deck)

The best way to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event is to stay at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel, where you can also enjoy a night-view photo session the night before. It also means there won’t be any rushing to the observatory in the wee hours of the morning! Visitors will also be able to hear a talk from night-sky photographer Hiroyuki Narisawa on how best to photograph ‘Diamond Skytree.’

On September 1, Baumkuchen specialty shop Katanukia opened its second location on the second floor of Tokyo Solamachi, beneath Tokyo Skytree. These traditionally German cakes are extremely popular in Japan, and using a cookie cutter can transform them into works of art! To commemorate the new shop, the Tokyo Solamachi location will sell a limited-edition Panda Baumkuchen that is almost too cute to eat.

Panda Baumkuchen

Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen: ¥594 (Tax Included)

Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen & Drawstring Bag Set: ¥1,815 (Tax Included)

The special Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen is made from soft, moist cake, and depicts an adorable panda character ready to gaze at the night sky from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. Children and adults alike will enjoy its gentle milk flavoring.

The Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen & Drawstring Bag Set includes the signature Baumkuchen, the Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen, Panda shortbread, and an adorable bag. There will only be 100 of these sets available, so grab one before they’re gone!

Is Baumkuchen popular in your country? How would you like to try these cute sweets in Tokyo?

Popular character Chiikawa is getting a Pop-up store for a limited-time! The shop is located at the event space outside of the south ticket gate of JR Ikebukuro station, and will be open until September 6, 2021.

The pop-up shop will feature a variety of cute goods like pouches and plushies, along with apparel. Visitors can also pick up some household goods, including tableware, chopsticks, and mugs featuring these lovable characters.

Special Event Merchandise

August’s New Products　　　

Purchase Bonus: Chiikawa Mask Case (1 per person)

These goods will only be available at the pop-up shop and Official Chiikawa online store Chiikawa Market, so don’t miss out!

©️nagano

A Kirby POP☆UP Shop will be opening in Osaka’s LUCUA 1100 1F Isetan Seasonal Selection from August 11th.

Shop Sample (photo from Nagoya autumn event.)

The shelves are covered in adorable Kirby goods, while the store has been decked out in fun, Kirby-esque summer motifs. You can even find items from the mature and simple  PLAYFUL KIRBY series or the colorful and stylish KIRBY’S FABRICS series! 

You can also spot Kirby playing as a train, with PU-PU-PU-TRAIN goods available to purchase.

There will be free gifts available for customers too; Customers who spend over ¥2,200 (Tax Included) will be eligible for a special Kirby POP☆UP Shop postcard. 

These are only available in limited quantities, so get them while you can!

© Nintendo / HAL Laboratory, Inc. KB21-P3040​

Sneaker shop atmos will be releasing a colorful new collection of shoes inspired by Japan’s famed summer festivals! Called the RETRO SUMMER PACK, sales will begin in most atmos stores on August 9, 2021, as well as on the atmos online shop. To celebrate the launch, a pop up shop will open in Harajuku for a limited-time on the same day. The lottery is now open on atmos-tokyo.com. 

NIKE AIR MORE UPTEMPO ‘96: ¥20,900 (Tax Included)

NIKE WMNS AIR FORCE 1 ʻ07 LV8 ¥13,200 (Tax Included)

NIKE WAFFLE TRAINER 2 ¥12,100 (Tax Included)

NIKE AS M NSW TEE MAX90 TD RESU ¥4,950 (Tax Included)

The AIR MORE UPTEMPO sneakers feature traditional Japanese patterns inspired by Kuniyoshi Utagawa, one of Japan’s most famous ukiyo-e artists. Traditional Japanese patterns like chrysanthemums and pine needles decorate the AIR FORCE 1 shoes, while the lemon, strawberry and melon colors covering the WAFFLE TRAINER 2 and t-shirts were inspired by the most sought-after summer treat, shaved ice!

At the atmos pop up shop, it’s all about the retro theme. Inside the store, visitors can stroll down memory lane, with every square-inch of space filled with Showa era nostalgia. Certain items will only be available here, so don’t miss out! 

Two of Nippon Animation’s most loved properties have come together for a limited-time shop like no other! Chibi Maruko-chan and Coji-Coji have joined forces to bring customers a curious collection of retro goods, available now at First Avenue Tokyo Station. The shop will be open until October 4, so there’s plenty of time to grab some new swag!

Wet Wipes: ¥550 each (Tax Included) / Alcohol Hand Spray: ¥880 (Tax Included) / Drug Notebook: ¥550 (Tax Included) / Clear File: ¥385 (Tax Included) / Acrylic Keychain: ¥715 each (Tax Included) / Acrylic Stand: ¥1,100 each (Tax Included) / Mini Tote Bag: ¥1,650 (Tax Included) / Canned Konpeito: ¥1,100 each (Tax Included) / Gacha Can Badge: 1 Turn ¥300 (Tax Included) / Gacha Mini Photo Stand: 1 Turn ¥400 (Tax Included)

Novelty Clear Bookmark

Novelty Set of 4 Clear Bookmarks with Mounts

Ten items in the shop feature this stunning new artwork, inspired by the idea of modern boys and girls in Taisho (1912-1926) retro style. In addition, plenty of other Chibi Maruko-chan and Coji-Coji goods are available at the shop for those wanting a more complete collection!

Customers spending over ¥1,500 or more (with tax) will receive a clear bookmark featuring the new retro art, while those spending over ¥6,000 (with tax) will get all four bookmarks with mounts, making it easy to decorate your space with these limited-time products. 

Which of these goods are you most hoping to snag? Don’t miss your chance!

Juice has opened a pop-up shop centred on the popular character Chiikawa at EKIHAKO inside EKI MARCHÉ SHIN-OSAKA where it is set to stay until August 26.

Get your paws on some exclusive items

New merch for July 2021

Cushion | ¥4,180 (Tax Included)

Hand Puppets | ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

Free acrylic key ring for buyers

Chiikawa fans can get their hands on a variety of items from pouches to plush toys, apparel, kitchenware, and more. The items are exclusive to the pop-up store and Chiikawa online shop. And if you spend over ¥3,300 at the pop-up sto9re, you’ll get a free glittery acrylic key ring.

©️nagano

First released in 2020, the limited-edition Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 Yayoi Kusama is set to be restocked in limited quantities. To promote the re-release, three pop-up shops are set to open in Japan: one in Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store from July 28 to August 3, another in Iwataya Mitsukoshi from August 14 to August 17, and another in Mitsukoshi Nagoya Sakae Store LACHIC from August 14 to August 22.

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 Yayoi Kusama Gift Box | ¥27,740 (Tax Included)

Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Pop-Up Shop

Iwataya Mitsukoshi Pop-Up Shop

Mitsukoshi Nagoya Sakae Store LACHIC Pop-Up Shop

Yayoi Kusama

The pop-up shops serve as a space to celebrate two revolutionary women: the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and Madame Clicquot, who led the champagne industry as a female entrepreneur in the 1800s. This includes Kusama’s 2-meter tall sculpture My Heart That Blooms in The Darkness of The Night designed for the collaboration, a replica of Kusama’s Self Obliterated by Dots: Madame Clicquot which she created in 2006 for the Madame Clicquot Art Exhibition charity event, recordings of Kusama reading out poems she created for the collaboration, and more. Visitors to the pop-up shops can also scan a QR code and watch the What makes me Bloom short movie, and more.

The Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 Yayoi Kusama Gift Box can be bought at the three stores, and at LACHIC, you can try a glass of the champagne.