Hoshinoya hotels each offer a unique experience with their own theme. The Otemachi-based Yoshinoya Tokyo has announced the new “Tokyo Lantern Dinner,” which has been proposed to suit the ‘New Normal’ of the Covid-19 generation. The new dining option was opened to customers from October 13 2021 and blends the new rules of restaurant partitions and mask wearing with Japanese culture, using lantern partitions to allow customers to enjoy their food with peace of mind. Customers can remove their mask as they sit under the lantern partition, which lights up your face and meal with a soft glow, meaning you can safely enjoy conversation and see your partner’s face as you talk and eat. Conveniently, the lantern also prevents splashing, making eating out in the Covid-19 era even easier! 

 

The Lantern Partition was Developed with a Long-Established Lantern Company

 

Nippon Cuisine ~Fermented~

 

 

The partition lanterns were created by Kojima Shoten, a long-established lantern shop based in Kyoto which was founded in the Kansei-Edo period. The original lantern-shape was crafted by the professionals, from the structure all the way to the painting. The unique shape of this elastic lantern allows customers to enter and exit freely, and part of the lantern has been made using a 0.15mm transparent vinyl meaning that face-to-face conversations can be held with ease. In addition, the lantern is equipped with a light that gently illuminates the face and food of the person seated beneath it.

 

 

Yoshinoya Tokyo usually only accepts dining reservations from those staying at the hotel, but customers can now invite non-guests specifically to enjoy the main meal together.  They have prepared a variety of options for meetings and events that previously couldn’t meet up due to the Covid situation, such as meetings between families before marriage, anniversaries, birthdays, business dinners, and more. 

 

 

Hoshinoya Tokyo is a Japanese Inn that respectfully combines the comforts of the modern day with traditional Japanese culture. The dining room, located on the first basement floor, offers ‘Nippon Cuisine’ made using a combination of Japan’s historical fermentation culture and French cooking techniques.  The menu includes a wide variety of ever-popular fermented foods and seasonings, such as soy sauce and miso, along with preserved foods such as pickles and salted fish. The lactic acidosis bacteria found in these foods is referred to as a “Good Bacteria,” known for its positive effects on the body and its ability to regulate gut bacteria. 

The taste and nutritional value of each meal has increased due to fermentation and aging, using seasonal ingredients from around Japan and French cooking techniques to bring out the flavor, resulting in a new and original taste. 

 

Why not check out Hoshinoya Tokyo and experience this new-era Japanese dining experience for yourself?

 

Located in an old traditional Japanese house in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, no mark.Café has a cozy ambiance for guests looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. From October 15 until November 30, the cafe is collaborating with the parent-child art unit Musee du Aouvre, and thirteen works from the group’s blog will be on display throughout the building. A campaign will also be held, giving visitors the chance to receive some original coasters and a small wind God figure to sit on the side of a coffee cup. 

 

Campaign Present A. Aouvre Coaster / B. Aouvre Wind God Figure

 

 

The cafe aims to be a place where guests can enjoy art as they relax, and to further this idea, they will be collaborating with a number of artists in the ‘CAFE DE ART’ project. 

 

The first collaboration is with Musee du Aouvre, an art unit consisting of a father and son duo who copy famous works of art. These aren’t just any forgeries–they are incredibly adorable and pay proper homage to the original creations. Thirteen works will be selected from the pair’s blog and will be exhibited under the title ‘The no mark.Café Great Counterfeit Exhibition.’ A 2022 calendar and postcards of the works will be on sale at the store, and videos will provide information about the original works of art. Visitors can also participate in the Twitter and Instagram campaign to win a special collaborative item!

 

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 Oarai Tourism Omotenashi Promotion Council opened Cafe Amayadori, a rain and healing themed coffee shop, on September 18 2021. The shop was opened as a challenge and is located in the Umimachi Terrace Tourist Information Center.

 

Cafe Amayadori

 

Cafe Amayadori Menu

Cafe Amayadori Tote Bag

 

You can clearly hear the sound of the rain from inside the store, while the served cream soda changes based on both the weather and the time. On clear days where the sun is shining, you can order the traditional green-color  ‘Blue Sky Cream Soda,’ while on rainy days you can order the blue ‘Rain-color Cream Soda.’

The cafe also serves a wide variety of Japanese and Western meals and desserts, each cooked using local Oarai produce. Morning and lunch specials are also available, meaning you can easily work your visit around your own schedule.

 

The concept of the cafe is “Rain.” You can dash into the cafe as if you’re looking for shelter from the weather before sitting down to eat and drink in the calm space, emphasized by the soothing music that plays in the background. While the soundtrack depends on the day, the sound of rain is often played. However, the sounds played on rainy days are a little different to the usual. True to its name, the cafe can create a comfortable Amayadori (lit. rain shelter) no matter what the weather!

 

‘rain coat studio’ is a group of creators who have been working on ‘rain’ themed events and designs since 2016. The group was formed with the idea that “when it rains, our activities are limited due to the dull weather. On the other hand, the rain represents the season and soothes those who listen to it’s sound.” 

The group aims to create music, events, artwork, and more, that are cool like the rain but still convey a kindness. The ‘rain coat studio’ came up with the idea of a coffee shop as a way to try creating a restaurant business that followed their ideals.

The signature item on Cafe Amayadori’s menu is the ‘Weather Cream Soda.’ The flavor depends on whether the weather is clear, rainy, and after-rain, but can also depend on the time – They even offer special drinks for ‘Morning Fog’ and for drinking in the evening, along with a limited-time ‘Seasonal Cream Soda. 

The cafe doesn’t just serve Cream Soda! Customers who would like a full meal can also order from a selection of Japanese food, Western food, and desserts. A limited edition tote bag is currently on sale to commemorate the opening of the cafe.

 

Why not try relaxing on a rainy day at Cafe Amayadori?

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!

 

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

The grand opening of Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten NAGOYA is scheduled for October 27, 2021. The original film Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi (Winter Constellations to Look Up With You) is set to be screened as the location’s first event, and singer-songwriter Keina Suda has been chosen to perform the movie’s theme Yomosugara (All Night). Ahead of the film’s premiere, advanced tickets will be on sale starting October 20, and those who purchase one will receive a special character acrylic stand!

 

Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi Trailer #2

 

Advance Ticket Bonus: Acrylic Stand

 

 

Keina Suda, chosen to perform the theme song for Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi

Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten NAGOYA will be Japan’s first planetarium to use the LED dome system DYNAVISION-LED, which utilizes self-luminous LED elements instead of a projector. 

 

Before making his major debut, Keina Suda was a popular Vocaloid producer going by the name Balloon. During this period, his song Charles became a smash hit, getting over 100 million views on YouTube. The musician wrote the song Yomosugara for the film. The writer of the film, Mari Okada, is also known for her work on Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day and The Anthem of the Heart. 

 

A completely original story written by Mari Okada

A friendship between two boys begins to twinkle in the light of the winter constellations. 

Nobunaga Shimazaki plays Kousuke, a boy who is crazy about the stars, while Yama Uchida portrays Natsuki, active on the track and field team. This is a coming-of-age story woven together with the starry sky made of LED lights only available at Manten NAGOYA. 

 

Kousuke, a boy who loves stars, failed his high school entrance exam. He reluctantly enrolls at his second-choice school, where he meets Natsuki, a member of the track and field team. He compares the brilliance of Natsuki to that of Sirius, the first magnitude star that shines with a fierce intensity. Kousuke thinks Natsuki is not the same as him, who is only the second magnitude star with little presence. However, the fate of the two twinkling stars is about to change drastically…

BLUE HAMHAM, a character by animator Arimura Taishi, will be featured at the ‘BLUE HAMHAM POP UP SHOP -AUTUMN PLANET-,’ open from October 8 until October 19 at Hanshin Umeda.  

 

Limited Goods

Event Limited T-Shirt (Size: M/L Colors: BLACK/WHITE): ¥4,400

Event Limited Sticker: ¥385

Event Limited Acrylic Stand: ¥1,320

Event Limited Keychain: ¥935

 

Novelties

Customers who spend over ¥6,000 will receive a free special shopping bag.

 

 

The event, which will be held in the newly opened Riakuro EVENT SPACE floor following the Umeda store renewal, will have four one meter-tall 3D BLUE HAM HAM statues greeting customers as they enter the store, each wearing adorable matching mufflers. There will be 15 new Autumn/Winter products overall, including T-shirts and stickers featuring artwork by creator Arimura Taishi. The BLUE HAMHAM muffler will also be available to purchase.

 

Customers who spend over ¥6,000 instore will receive a limited edition shopping bag for free! Not only that, customers who add the Official Hanshin Umeda LINE account will receive a coupon, while the first 200 customers will also receive an additional event-original postcard.

 

Popular animations will be looped on retro-themed TV monitors, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of ‘BLUE HAMHAM.’ Be sure to check out this limited shop and the new Autumnal character designs! 

 

 

*Images are samples and may differ in real life.

©CHOCOLATE Inc.

Tokyo, Taito-ku based public bath cafe Rebon Kaisaiyu has announced a collaboration exhibition with illustrator Miyaoka Chiga, held between October 10 (public bath day) and October 24 2021, titled “Yu.”

 

Rebon Kaisaiyu is a renovated public bath which was built 90 years ago, now transformed into a cafe serving home-roasted specialty coffee and handmade ice cream. The wooden tag shoe boxes, watch seats, ceilings, clocks, and Mt. Fuji paintings from the public bath have been preserved, retaining the comfort and warmth of the original building. 

 

The space was designed around the concept of “connecting memories through a cafe,” striving to become a spot where locals could relax once more, connecting the building with the people of the new generation. The relaxing cafe has 16 seats available and is located only a five minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Station.

 

The collaboration exhibition will be filled with artwork using iconic public bath motifs. Miyaoka’s gentle illustrations are sure to soothe your heart, immersing you in the warmth of “Yu” (public baths). Why not relax in this unique cafe with a comforting mug of hot coffee.

 

For those looking for a safe getaway for Halloween, Hotel New Otani Osaka is offering a limited-time room plan allowing guests to enjoy a selection of scrumptious and spooky dishes in the privacy of their hotel room. A bottle of very photogenic blue sparkling wine will also be served!

 

The menu includes a pumpkin quiche and mini-burgers, along with mummy-themed sausage pie rolls, black pasta with squid, and plenty of other treats to tantalize your taste buds. 

Enjoy a toast with the lively La Vague Bleue sparkling wine from France, offering a dry and refreshing taste perfect for pairing with food. Room service will be available to serve plenty of other drink items, including wine and cocktails!

Exclusive to the Halloween plan, a slightly terrifying sweets plate is available, featuring pumpkin mont blanc, bat-shaped cookies, eyeball blancmange, and more! If a Halloween getaway isn’t in the cards this year, enjoy this completely private party in a luxurious hotel room instead! 

 

Wedding venue Applause Square Nagoya will be opening a limited-time restaurant for eight days only during October and will offer some of the most artful desserts you’ve ever seen. The wedding hall is not normally open to the public, so this will be an opportunity to see this incredible mansion up close while savoring some unique fall flavors. 

 

Jewel Art Topaz Parfait, made with Rum Raisin and Iced Chestnut Mont Blanc with Orange Parfait, and three Chocolate Bonbons

Six hors-d’oeuvres, each a vibrant and unique color

Sea Bream Vapeur with Eggplant and Chips that resemble Autumn Leaves, paired with Hot consommé soup scented with sherry and served in front of guests

Roasted Chita Pork with Tomato Chutney Sauce and Ginger, covered with Brown Mushrooms

 

Each of the six hors d’oeuvres were inspired by birthstones. Following are a number of luxurious meat and fish dishes, followed by a rich and abundant parfait filled with autumn flavors.