Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu in Shimane to Hold 2021 Matsue Water Lantern Festival
06.October.2021 | SPOT
A number of beautifully decorated paper lanterns are currently on display in the lobby of the Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu in Shimane prefecture until October 31.
Normally, the event is held around Matsue Castle, with lanterns lighting up the streets and stalls set up to allow guests to design their own lanterns. Due to the current pandemic, the popular yearly event was abruptly canceled, and the Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu stepped up, with the support of the Matsue Tourism Association, hosting the event in its first-floor lobby.
For the past three years, the hotel has continuously hosted events and activities to help guests learn more about Matsue, including hosting trips to the area around Matsue Castle and cruises on the Horikawa River. For this year’s event, hotel staff created their own lanterns based on these attractions, for a total of 17. If you could attend, how would you decorate your lantern?
Information
Matsue Water Lantern Festival 2021
Running: October 1 – October 31, 2021
Address: 1F Lobby of Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu
Details: https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/matsue-e/information/80475/index.html
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Shueisha’s Haruman!! 2022 Festival Celebrates Manga this Spring
29.April.2022 | ANIME&GAME
Shueisha is currently offering a ton of manga for free as part of Haruman!! 2022. The campaign is running until May 15 at participating locations and tons of digital manga series are available for download.
©Shueisha
During Haruman!! 2022, users can read over 305 digital titles for free. This year’s theme is ‘Manga Festival,’ and manga fans can find both recent and classic titles. Why not catch up on some manga history while you can?
A collaboration with the popular VTuber agency Hololive is also underway. One of the group’s manga-loving members will be chosen each day to serve as Editor-in-Chief of an original manga magazine.
Popular authors are also commemorating the occasion with new illustrations. Eleven artists from Shueisha’s manga department have drawn popular VTubers, and these awesome images are available exclusively on the Haruman!! website.
Stream Date: April 23, 2022
Participants: Shueisha x Hololive Traveling Editorial Department
Streaming Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFZiqLMntJufDCHc6bQixg
©Shueisha
In collaboration with puzzle game creators RIDDLER, ‘The Search for the Great Manga King’s Treasure’ will be held. Pulling inspiration from One Piece, which is currently celebrating 25 years of serialization, fans will have to find clues to solve a massive mystery.
Find your new favorite manga series during Haruman!! 2022.
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BAND-MAID to Perform at the World’s Largest Festival ‘AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL’ in California
Internationally beloved hard rock band BAND-MAID has been invited to perform at AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL in Sacramento, California!
The festival will take place across four days, from October 6 until October 9, 2022. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, with headliners like KISS and Slipknot.
BAND-MAID has also announced US stops on their global tour during 2022. More information is scheduled to be released soon!Information
AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL
Dates: October 6-9, 2022https://aftershockfestival.com/
BAND-MAID Official Site: https://bandmaid.tokyo -
NIJISANJI Fes 2022 to Take Place at Makuhari Messe in October
13.February.2022 | ANIME&GAME / FES / MUSIC
VTuber group NIJISANJI will hold their largest event ever in October 2022! NIJISANJI Festival 2022 will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba for two days only, on October 1 and October 2.
Last year’s NIJISANJI Festival was held in February 2021 but had no live audience due to the ongoing pandemic. This year’s event will be held in Halls 1-5 of Makuhari Messe, which is a massive space. Even more is planned for the 2022 event, so keep an eye out for more info!
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Play!’ More than 100 members–both domestic and international–will take part in the festival, which will feature booths produced by the members, concerts, interviews, food and drinks, original merchandise, and more.
Information
NIJISANJI Festival 2022
Dates: October 1 – October 2, 2022
Address: Makuhari Messe 1-5 Hall (2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba)Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/nijisanji_app
Official Site: https://fes.nijisanji.jp/
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Gyoza Festival 2021 Opens at Nagoya PARCO
Pan-fried dumplings, or gyoza, can be found all over Japan from fine restaurants to convenience stores. They’re cheap, easy to consume, and incredibly tasty. Those able to make it to Nagoya PARCO by December 26 can experience this year’s Gyoza Festival, bringing together some of the best examples of creative and mouthwatering gyoza in the country.
A number of participating restaurants within Nagoya PARCO have developed unique gyoza-centric menus, including Kimchi Gyoza from Yansando, Chicken Wing Gyoza with spicy tartar sauce from Kyoto Shijo Kuon, and Spicy Gyoza from ANDY CURRY, participating in the event for the first time. Yummy Hawaiian Barbeque is also offering nine new menu items only found at Nagoya PARCO, including Gyoza Pie.
Participating Shops
Yansando Ueno Honten
ANDY CURRY
Nagoya Chicken Noodle Shop
Longhu Patio
Kyoto Shijo Kuon
FUJIYAMA55 RAMEN STAND
Okuyama Yasuzou Himonoterasu
Yummy Hawaiian Barbeque
Information
Gyoza Festival 2021
Running: November 26 – December 26, 2021
Location: Nagoya PARCO West Building 7F
Official Site: http://www.parco.co.jp
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New Chitose Airport Animation Festival 2021 to Screen Selection of Films from Artist Eve
More details on the nominated works from the 8th Annual New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival 2021 have been released! Starting on November 5, this year’s hybrid event will take place both online and onsite at New Chitose Airport, with over 100 of Japan’s top-class animated films being screened.
At the airport, the main venue will be the New Chitose Airport Theater. From November 5 until November 8, 92 films from around the world representing the Competition section will be screened. The four nominated films from this category will be shown for the first time in Japan, and only at the New Chitose Airport Theater. These were chosen from 39 works from 23 different countries.
Limited to theaters, a special screening of ‘Eve Music Animation Special in NEW CHITOSE 2021’ will take place, produced by Eve, one of Japan’s leading music video artists. The program will include screenings of selected Fate/Grand Order commercials and videos that have captivated fans with their stylish and modern visuals, along with a live behind-the-scenes broadcast on the making of Fate/Grand Order with some of the show’s staff. The closing film will be a new documentary titled Satoshi Kon: The Dreamer, looking back on the artistic legacy of the late creator.
Since her debut, Eve has meshed animation and music together in a way that few have been able to achieve in the past. Her cinematic-quality works have been made alongside fellow creators through various collaborations, so be sure not to miss out on her selections during the festival!
Information
The 8th Annual New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival 2021
Date: November 5, 2021
Tickets on Sale October 12, 2021
Ticket Sales: https://t.pia.jp/
*Eve Music Animation Special in NEW CHITOSE 2021 tickets by lottery only, to be held on November 5.
Official Site: https://airport-anifes.jp/
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Tokyo Color Sonic!! Announces Limited-Time Event & Live Announcement of Winning Pair
26.October.2021 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC / SPOT
In July 2021, sprout unveiled details about a new 2D mixed-media franchise called Tokyo Color Sonic!! Featuring eight characters split into groups of two, each is played by a talented voice actor, and the story sees the boys promoting Japanese music to a global audience. On November 6 and November 7 at the Ikebukuro Sunshine City Animate location, the Animate Girls Festival will feature decorations from the series, and starting November 13 the ‘Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~’ event will begin, featuring tons of new goods! The winning team from Tokyo Color Sonic will be announced during a special vocal drama airing on the official series YouTube channel on November 7, 2021.
AGF 2021 Buddy Set
Ironoha Music Academy Notebook
Ironoha Music Academy Ball-point Pen
Mask Case (Bromide included)
AGF 2021 Special Purchase Gift at Venue: Non-Woven Bag
Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~
Bonus: Foil-stamped card featuring a message in each character’s handwriting
Acrylic Stand (Mini-Characters Vol. 1): ¥700 (Tax Included)
Tabletop School Calender 2022: ¥1,320 (Tax Included)
Motel Key Acrylic Keychain (8 varieties): ¥880 each (Tax Included)
Tokyo Color Sonic is set in the near future, where a government mandate aims to promote and develop the Japanese music industry as means to spread it worldwide. The movement is called “Coloration,” but after developing the program for years, things need to change. The Ironoha Music Academy trains singer and composer duos, and the country decides to start an annual music festival called Tokyo Color Sonic to shake things up! Popular illustrator Ryo Fujiwara, who has also worked on A3! and GAKUGEIDAI JUNES, is responsible for the character designs.
A number of goods featuring illustrations drawn by Ryo Fujiwara will be available at the Ikebukuro Sunshine City Animate location ahead of the AGF event starting November 6.
During the ‘Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~’ event, for every ¥1,100 spent on Tokyo Color Sonic goods and CDs (including tax), guests will receive a random code (8 varieties) to listen to a piece of newly-recorded audio from one of the characters! These clips are messages from each character to their respective buddies. In addition, for every ¥2,200 spent (including tax), guests will receive a random foil-stamped message card featuring messages from the characters written in their own handwriting.
Are you rooting for a particular team to win? Be sure to tune in on November 7 to see if your favorites walk away victorious!
(C)COLORATION
Information
Animate Girls Festival (AGF) 2021
Running: November 6 – 7, 2021
Hours: Main Venue 8:45-18:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Address: Main Venue at Ikebukuro Sunshine City (3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo)
Bunka Kaikan Building 4F, Exhibition Hall B – Booth G-1
Details: https://agf-ikebukuro.jp/s/agf2021/
Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~
Running: November 13 – December 5, 2021
Location: Animate stores nationwide, Animate Online, ACOS Online Shop
Details: https://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/contents/fair_event/detail.php?id=106360
Tokyo Color Sonic!! Winning Pair Announcement Vocal Drama
Unit 1: Arashi Komiyama (CV: Shoya Chiba) & Sora Kirishima (CV: Yuto Uemura)
Unit 2: Iori Takarada (CV: Soma Saito) & Haruhi Kaji (CV: Yoshiki Nakajima)
Unit 3: Towa Sebumi (CV: Gakuto Kajiwara) & Mirai Zaizen (CV: Ryohei Kimura)
Unit 4: Kairi Kurahashi (CV: Shunsuke Takeuchi) & Kagura Takatsuki (CV: Takuya Eguchi)
Broadcast Date: November 7, 2021, 20:00~
Where to Listen: Tokyo Color Sonic!! Official YouTube Channel
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Outdoor Music and Craft Festival Creema YAMABIKO FES 2021 Announces Second Round of Artists
Creema YAMABIKO FES 2021 has announced the second round of participating musical acts! The event features live performances on an impressive outdoor stage with Mt. Fuji in the background, along with a number of craft markets, workshops, and a two-day ‘sauna village,’ where guests can enjoy outdoor saunas while sampling some fantastic local fare.
Twelve live performances are scheduled during the event, with the full timetable scheduled to release in late October. The second announcement lists Hanaregumi, DENIMS, YONA YONA WEEKENDERS, Strange Reitaro, island echo, and Super VHS as participating acts.
DAY 1 (November 6, 2021)
Clammbon, never young beach, Humbert Humbert, DENIMS, YONA YONA WEEKENDERS, island echo
DAY 2: (November 7, 2021)
SPECIAL OTHERS, TENDRE, D.W. Nicols, Hanaregumi, Strange Reitaro, Super VHSThis year’s event will have a new kid’s area, along with a new outdoor area featuring 15 stores selling a wide variety of camping gear. There will also be a place to custom order items and a hammock area. The kid’s area will offer workshops for children led by expert staff, a stamp rally, and other content to keep the little ones busy.
The popular coffee roaster LEAVES COFFEE ROASTERS from Kuramae, Tokyo, will be participating in the event, serving up some delicious beverages. Japan’s champion barista Taka Ishitani will be participating in the coffee drinking competition, so don’t miss it!
Are any of your favorite bands playing at this year’s event?
Information
Creema YAMABIKO FES 2021
Dates: November 6 and 7, 2021
Venue Hours: 10:00-17:30 (Concerts from 10:30-17:00)
Address: Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika OUTDOOR HILL VILLAGE
(719 Koyama, Gotemba, Shizuoka)Official Site: htttp://www.yamabikofes.jp/
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Changes Made to November’s OMNIBUS Music Festival in Tokyo
As part of the Tokyo Art & Live City project, the OMNIBUS music festival will take place on November 6 and 7 in Japan’s capital. Rather than being held at Shinjuku Central Park, the November 7 concert will now take place at Hulic Hall Tokyo. Originally, this concert was named The Park #Assembly, though this has now been changed to The Hall #Space. For those holding tickets with the original name, don’t worry–your ticket will still be valid at the new venue.
Those who want a refund due to the venue change should head to the official website by October 9. The November 6 concert titled The Circuit #Excursion will be held as scheduled.
Additional tickets for the festival went on sale on October 2, 2021. Schedules for the events will be released soon, so stay tuned for more details!
Information
OMNIBUS
The Circuit #Excursion
When: November 6, 2021 / Venue Opens at 12:00, Show Starts at 12:30
Locations: Shinjuku ACB HALL / Shinjuku Marz / Shinjuku Marble / Shinjuku Motion / Shinjuku Zirco / Shinjuku Red Cross / Shinjuku ReNY
Performers: asobi, Wez Atlas, ODD Foot Works, Campanella, kiki vivi lily, Kvibaba, Kai Kubota, Kuro, (sic)boy, SUKISHA, Suzuki Mamiko, Sleepless Sheep, Saboten, sooogood!, dongurizu, PEAVIS, VivaOla, YOSA&TARR, YonYon, and more
The Hall #Space
When: November 7, 2021 / Venue Opens at 15:30, Show Starts at 16:30
Location: Hulic Hall Tokyo 11F (2-5-1 Yurakucho Center Building, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Performers: Sohei Oyamada, GLIM SPANKY (Acoustic ver.), Koji Shimotsu, and more
Tickets:
Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/omnibus/ (L Code: 74447)
Ticket Pia: https://w.pia.jp/t/omnibus/ (P Code: 203-026)
Official Site: https://omnibus-tokyo.com/
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Noseden Artline Festival 2021 Bringing Light, Sound, and Food to the Kawanishi Area
A celebration of light, sound, and food, the biennial Noseden Artline 2021 Festival will take place from October 30 until November 23, 2021. Set in one city and three towns along the Nose Electric Railway, the regional art event began in 2013 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the rail line, and brings local artists and residents together.
The festival will be in Kawanishi and Inagawa in Hyogo Prefecture, as well as in Toyono and Nose in Osaka Prefecture, with Mt. Myoken marking the center point. Each part of the event will connect the history, industry, and tradition of the area with new and engaging creations.
The theme of the 2021 Noseden Artline Festival is ‘Enlarged Mentality.’ By taking things that are subjective, like an artist’s thoughts and senses, and applying them to the objective world that can be shared, it creates a one-of-a-kind way to connect fully with others. The event will feature local cuisine and music, as well as art focused on light, inspired by the North Star. After a year of solitude due to the pandemic, the festival hopes to remind people to cultivate, nourish, and preserve local relationships.
Art can make life more enjoyable, so why not come and see what the area has to offer?
(C)Kousei Ikeda(SPEKTRA)
Information
Noseden Artline Festival
Running: October 30 – November 23, 2021
Location: Nose Electric Railway Line ~ Near Summit of Mt. Myoken
Official Site: http://noseden-artline.com/2021/
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Namco and Sanrio Team Up for Collaborative Halloween Campaign
02.September.2021 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
BANDAI NAMCO AMUSEMENT has announced Namco de Halloween 2021 -Skulls Festival!- coming September 10. The campaign will take place at over 200 Namco amusement centers nationwide, and at the online crane game site Torumo. Those participating can snag some spooky and super adorable Sanrio goodies!
Namco Limited Edition Prizes
Sanrio Characters Big Plushies
Cinnamoroll / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock second week of September)
Sanrio Characters Skull Festival! Plushies
Pom Pom Pudding / Cinnamoroll / Pochacco / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock second week of September)
Sanrio Characters Skull Festival! Cushions
All characters (Back side: Blue) / My Melody & Kuromi (Back side: Pink) / Cinnamoroll, Pom Pom Pudding & Pochacco (Back side: Orange) (In stock second week of September)
Sanrio Characters Jiangshi Night Plushies 2021
Pom Pom Pudding / Cinnamoroll / Pochacco / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock second week of September)
Sanrio Characters Spooky Night 2021 Plushies
Pom Pom Pudding / Cinnamoroll / Pochacco / Hello Kitty / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock third week of September)
Sanrio Characters Dreamy Dark Halloween 2021 Plushies
Pom Pom Pudding / Cinnamoroll / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock fourth week of September)
Sanrio Characters Exciting Halloween 2021 Plushies
Pom Pom Pudding / Cinnamoroll / Hello Kitty / My Melody / Kuromi (In stock first week of October)
Use the Namco Point App to get one limited-edition shopping bag each day.
Exclusive Presents
Clear cards
Colorful bag
During the Torumo gift campaign, 100 winners will be randomly selected to win a special Halloween blanket.
The prizes available during the campaign were designed for the event. Also, limited-edition plushies to appear in the past have returned in brand new colors! Those who use the Namco Point App and place ¥500 into one of the crane machines will receive one of five clear cards and a colorful bag. (Not available using Torumo.)
© 2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. S620926
Information
Namco de Halloween 2021 -Skulls Festival!-
Running: September 10 – November 3, 2021
Where: Over 200 Namco amusement facilities nationwide and Torumo online crane game site
Namco Point App: https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/app_dl/
Torumo: https://s.torumo.namco.co.jp/sh/hw2021_w
Event Details: https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/event/game_center/halloween2021/
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Hello Kitty Summer Event Themed On the Undersea Palace Princess Oto-hime Kicks Off in Hyogo
The Hello Kitty media art facility and restaurant HELLO KITTY SMILE on Awaji Island kicked off a summer event on July 1. Titled “HELLO KITTY SMILE Oto-hime Ryugu-jo Beach Summer Festival,” the event is set to run until the end of August.
Digital fireworks set the summer vibe
Catch your own Sanrio figure
Decorate your own Sanrio character ceramic
Children’s meal at the Party Terrace
Hello Kitty afternoon tea at the Party BalconySpicy tortilla at the Garden Terrace
The event is themed on Oto-hime, the princess of the underwater palace Ryugu-jo which features in the Japanese folktake of Urashima Taro. It focuses on Hello Kitty and is a celebration of Bon odori, a type of dance that takes place during the Japanese summertime Bon Festival. Hello Kitty performs the dance on stage, and the audience can join in with handclapping, dancing, and waving the free fan they receive upon entering the venue. Visitors can also buy a ticket to meet Hello Kitty, and those who do receive a free plush toy along with a photo with the Sanrio queen herself.
At the event, visitors can enjoy Sanrio versions of all the fun things Japanese summer festivals, or natsumarui, have to offer like catching a Sanrio figure instead of a goldfish, painting ceramics, making vinyl prints, squirting water pistols, jumping on a giant trampoline, and so much more.
Other things to look out for include special screenings at the HELLO KITTY SMILE theatre and the firework projection mapping show. The event also has four different restaurants which are serving limited-time, seasonal summer treats: the Party Terrace, Party Balcony, Restaurant Tamatebako, and Garden Terrace.
Ⓒ2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L627610
Information
HELLO KITTY SMILE Oto-hime Ryugu-jo Beach Summer Festival
Japanese Event Title: HELLO KITTY SMILE 乙姫竜宮城 海辺の夏祭り
Running: July 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021
Opening Hours:10:00-19:00 (Last Entries 18:00)
*Brunch served exclusively on weekends and public holidays at the Party Terrace at 9:00-10:00 (last orders 10:30)Closed: Tuesdays
Address: 985-1 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji, Hyogo 656-1721, Japan
Official Website: https://awaji-resort.com/hellokittysmile/
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Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Festival Announced For Fall in Sapporo
28.May.2021 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi are set to collaborate at a special festival centred entirely around the characters which will run at Sapporo Factory from September 17 to November 28.
Rilakkuma, Sumikko Gurashi, and you are invited to the festival which will be split into two areas: the Rilakkuma Pavilion and Sumikko Gurashi Pavilion where the characters will be present to greet guests. The event is taking on a magical theme which imagines the spirits of San-X, the company who created Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi, casting a mysterious magic on the festival to bring happiness to all.
There’s plenty for fans of the characters to enjoy including fun photo spots, exclusive merchandise, and much more.
If you’re in Sapporo this autumn, don’t miss the Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Festival.
Information
Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Festival
Running: September 17, 2021 – November 38, 2021
Venue: Sapporo Factory 3 (Floor 3F)
Address: 4 Chome-1-2 Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0032, Japan
Opening Hours: [Weekdays] 13:00-17:00 (From 10:00 on September 17) / [Weekends] 10:00-17:00 (Last Entries 16:30)
Closed: Thursdays (Except September 23, 2021)
TEL: 011-272-9302 (10:00-17:00 except weekends and holidays)
Official Website: https://ntv.co.jp/rilakkuma-and-sumikko-fest/