Banyan Tree Group, one of the world’s leading independent hospitality groups, held the grand opening of Galleria Nijo Castle Kyoto, on Friday, June 17, 2022. This is the first of the group’s hotels to open in Japan.

Hotel Exterior

Located south of Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site, and named after the beautiful winter flower, Galleria Nijo Castle Kyoto is a small, modern, and minimalist luxury hotel that offers simple guests a chance to recharge themselves.

Wellbeing Room

For the grand opening, a new Wellbeing Room has been opened where visitors can experience quiet meditation.

Visitors can stroll through nearby gardens, temples, and shrines, take a tour of Kyoto’s many historical sites, or spend time in the Wellbeing Room meditating or practicing yoga to recharge their batteries away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The French Restaurant Singular will also offer up healthy and tasty meals with a focus on local ingredients and producers.

Enjoy a visit to Kyoto in this peaceful space perfect for resting both body and soul.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu inspired music lovers around the world in April when she performed at Coachella, one of the largest music festivals on Earth. The second half of the singer’s 10th anniversary nationwide tour 31-show has begun, gaining even more momentum following the announcement of a solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. As with past concert locations, a new collaboration has been announced ahead of Kyary’s June 19 performance in Aichi Prefecture. 

Since its opening in 1916, Myokoen has been providing high-quality tea leaves to tea lovers around Japan. The store is known for its hojicha, or roasted green tea, which is made by roasting the leaves over a gentle flame. With a particular focus on aroma, taste, and color, this secret blend of tea leaves is selected by tea masters from all over the country. 

Kyary’s collaboration with Myokoen draws inspiration from the singer’s 6th single Invader Invader (2013), in which a fashionable alien played by Kyary seeks to take over the world. The tea shop’s logo has been transformed with a bit of pop flare.

Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project ‘Invader Hojicha’: ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

The special product released for the new collaboration is the Myokoen and LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Invader Hojicha. The recipe for the tea has remained unchanged for over six decades and this blend focuses on the golden color of fresh green tea after it has been roasted. This release features new packaging, and those interested can purchase a package at all Myokoen shops and on the company’s online store. Limited quantities will also be sold at the Aichi Prefectural Art Theater’s Main Hall starting at 2:00 on June 19, 2022.

Myokoen (Aichi Prefecture) x LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project T-shirt: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only!

From June 1 until August 31, Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji is inviting guests to travel to the adorable world of Moomin by partaking in two tasty buffet events at the Le Clair Restaurant on the second floor. In Moomin’s home country of Finland, people start enjoying the summer following the solstice in June. The theme of this project is ‘Moominvalley Turns Jungle,’ inspiring the hotel’s chefs to create a spectacular original menu. A tasty lunch buffet will be held Tuesday through Friday during the event period, while a sweets buffet will take place on weekends and holidays. The restaurant’s interior will be decorated with artwork from Tove Jansson’s 1956 comic Moominville Turns Jungle.

The Moomin Lunch Buffet is titled ‘Jungle Party in Moominville,’ and will depict a fun summer lunch get-together in the titular character’s home village. The lineup of foods includes smoked salmon canapes, marinated herring, and sardine sandwiches, all typical of Scandinavian cuisine. Plenty of spiced dishes and veggies will be available, the latter looking like they came from Moominmamma’s garden. August 9 is Moomin Day, and the chefs will be preparing some extra goodies for each guest on that day only.

The Moomin Sweets Buffet will feature adorable desserts created by expert pâtissiers and will be inspired by Moomin and his friends enjoying the summer. From red velvet cake made to look like Little My’s dress to chocolate mousse in the style of Moominpappa’s Silk Hat, fans of the series will want to snap plenty of pictures before they dig in! Tons of sweets will include popular Scandinavian ingredients like red currants, raspberries, and blueberries. The welcome plate, limited to one per person, will change monthly, with a Tropical Parfait coming in July and an Edible Jungle coming in August. Light meals will also be available to compliment the sweets.

The Sweets Buffet will also include a special table plan limited to three per day, using plates and mugs included in the Moomin by Arabia 2022 Summer collection. Guests participating in this plan can order a special non-alcoholic cocktail created by the restaurant’s bartender and made with rose-colored ice inspired by Moominmamma’s love for flowers.

Starting July 1, guests visiting the five-star Conrad Tokyo hotel can enjoy a new peach-filled afternoon tea menu for a limited time. Designed in collaboration with the British luxury brand Wedgwood, the lineup includes both savory and sweet items perfect for summer. The afternoon tea will be available on the 28th floor at the aptly named Twenty Eight Bar and Lounge.

In collaboration with Wedgwood, a 260-year-old porcelain and fine china brand used by the British royal family, this special service will feature an afternoon tea plate with a tempting array of sweets. The plate itself is from Wedgwood’s world-renowned Gio collection and features a honeycomb pattern embossed on fine bone china. The contrast between the modern setting, the classic and refined shape of the white tableware, and the beautiful pink treats will come together to create the most memorable summer moment imaginable.

Coconut & Earl Grey Panna Cotta / Rose Jelly / Peach Compote

Wine and Peach Gelatin / Vanilla Mousse

White Peach Mousse / Raspberry Gelatin

White Peach and Soy Milk Sandwich

Apricot Tart / Peach Cream

Peach Soup / Lobster Consomme Jelly

White Peach and Chicken Mousse Tart

Pork Rillettes and Peach Slider

Highlights from the sweets menu include coconut & Earl Grey Panna cotta served with rose jelly and peach compote, peach gelatin infused with red wine and vanilla mousse, and a delectable white peach and soy milk sandwich. For those with less of a sweet tooth, the afternoon tea service also offers delectable dishes like a white peach and chicken mousse tart, a pork rillettes and peach slider, and more. Guests can also enjoy a selection of scones in either plain or coconut, each served with clotted cream and either peach or guava jam. Over 20 beverages will be on offer, including Wedgwood teas.

Sumiya Kihoan, a cozy inn at Yunohana Onsen in Kameoka City in Kyoto, opened a unique new guest room on April 28, 2022. The room’s concept is “where guests can stay in the middle of contemporary art,” and was inspired by the works of internationally-acclaimed contemporary artist Yukinori Yanagi. The new room, created as part of the Art Room Project, has been named ‘Kofuu.’

The Icarus Corridor Connecting Heaven and Earth

Heavenly Bath Welcoming a Rainbow at Dusk

In-Ground Bath Featuring Oribe Glazed Ceramic

Concept Drawing of the Art Room Project by Yukinori Yanagi

The new room includes an open-air bath where guests can be transported into the world of Yanagi’s contemporary art while gazing at the gorgeous Kyoto landscape. Upon entering the inn, guests are greeted by a long corridor leading to the bedrooms, dining room, and two creative open-air baths. The space was created in collaboration with Yanagi and local artists and craftsmen, such as potter Ishii Naoto, obi craftsman Yamaguchi Genbei X, plasterer Kusumi Akira, and Japanese paper craftsman Hatano Wakaru. A delicious menu is prepared by chef Hosoi Kunihiko.

Hotel New Otani Tokyo will offer special collaboration rooms inspired by illustrator Kanahei’s characters Piske & Usagi from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

Original Cushion / Acrylic Stand

The room is completely decorated with brand new illustrations of Piske and Usagi made exclusively for the collaboration. A total of five original amenities will be included with each room plan, including an original cushion and acrylic stand. Come surround yourself with complete cuteness!

The lifestyle brand UNDERSON UNDERSON is all about making skin healthier by using washi paper. The unique brand has teamed up with Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto, known for its traditional washi decorations, for a special accommodation plan! Booking a room will get you a fancy new pair of underpants and some other popular items. The plan began on April 11, 2022, and will continue through the end of the year.

UNDERSON UNDERSON Underwear

UNDERSON UNDERSON Stretchy Washi Mask

john masters organics × UNDERSON UNDERSON Mask & Air Refreshener

The plan wants to allow visitors to enjoy their stay in Kyoto while experiencing traditional Japanese washi paper with both their eyes and their skin. The walls of the Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto feature artwork and furnishings with Japanese flare and have been upgraded to include HAMADAWASHI’s Tosa washi paper. This material has been used in the restoration of cultural heritage sites such as Nijo Castle and Ginkaku-ji Temple. Tosa washi can also be found on the partitions at Cafe O and on the walls of the coworking space!

To celebrate the collaboration, UNDERSON UNDERSON will be giving away underwear and other items made of its iconic WASHIFABRIC.

While this may sound like a strange collab, how would you like to give this underwear a try?

Hitohata has opened an incredible new experience in Nagoya! The Midland Square Sky Promenade Digital Art Museum Crystal: Hanging Garden of Light is open to visitors until May 17, 2022.

The event takes place at night at the Sky Promenade, an outdoor observatory on the 44th to 46th floors of Midland Square, the tallest building in the Tokai region. Using projection mapping, digital art inspired by jewelry covers the walls and floors, taking guests on a sensory adventure high above the Nagoya streets. Why not come enjoy this 360-degree night view of the city as the walls around you glitter like jewels?

The popular BTS chibi characters TinyTAN will be featured at TinyTAN Cafe locations in five cities for a limited time! Nine locations will be open across Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Miyagi starting April 21, 2022.

The TinyTAN characters were designed by the seven members of BTS to embody their “second selves.”

Select Cakes: ¥990

Fruits Deco Style: Strawberry, Fruits Deco Style: Mango, Fruits Deco Style: White Grape: ¥1,760

The menu is packed with desserts, including seven different types of cakes each inspired by a member of TinyTAN.

American Sundae Style Chocolate Cookie, American Sundae Style Caramel Nuts, American Sundae Style Pistachio Honey: ¥1,870

Afternoon Style Tea: ¥3,190

The Afternoon Style Tea includes a base plate that can be customized with guest’s favorite fruits and chocolates. Two types of TinyTAN Select Cakes will also be included to share!

Ham (2 types) & Scrambled Egg Peanut Butter Sandwich: ¥1,760

Cafe Style Drink & Cake Set *Prices vary based on drink selection.

Guests can choose from colorful bagel sandwiches, pancakes, and open sandwiches, along with a selection of sweet drinks to match each meal.

Bonuses

Acrylic Stand (7 varieties, random): ¥1,320

Sticky Note Roll: ¥880, Acrylic Nameplate (7 varieties): ¥990 each

Original cafe merchandise and special offers will make visiting the TinyTAN Cafe even more exciting!

© BIGHIT MUSIC. All Rights Reserved

In 2021, the Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Hypnosis Flava event was held at Mixalive Tokyo, attracting tons of attention and making fans of the franchise extremely happy. Now, the event will travel to Nagoya and Osaka!

Hypnosis Flava -The Missing Case-

CAFÉ  Hypnosis Flava

Food

Hypnosis Flava 〜 Rap Roll　Buster Bros!!! （Curry-flavored Chicken）/ MAD TRIGGER CREW（Meatball）/Fling Posse（Meat Tacos）/Matenrou（Grilled Salmon）/Dotsuitare Hompo（Yakisoba with Mayo）/Bad Ass Temple (Miso Katsu)

Dessert

Hypnosis Flava -Division Rap Battle-
Hypnosis Flava 〜 Mille Crepe　Buster Bros!!! / MAD TRIGGER CREW / Fling Posse /Matenrou / Dotsuitare Hompo /Bad Ass Temple〜

Drink

Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-
Hypnosis Flava ~ Jelly Soda Drink　Buster Bros!!! / MAD TRIGGER CREW / Fling Posse/ Matenrou / Dotsuitare Hompo /Bad Ass Temple

Menu Order Bonus

Coaster (36 varieties)

Cafe Merchandise Corner

Sticker Set /Clear Photo Card／Square Pin Hypnosis Flava Ver.2（6 varieties) / Acrylic Block Keychain Hypnosis Flava Ver. (18 varieties) / Candy and Magnet, Hypnosis Flava Ver. (6 varieties) / Handkerchief Hypnosis Flava Ver. (1 variety)

Store

2nd D.R.B Winner: Commemorative Acrylic Smartphone Stand (Fling Posse) / Acrylic Panel (Division Leaders) /2nd D.R.B Postcard Collection

T-Shirt /Hoodie Hypnosis Flava Ver.

The event contains three events: Hypnosis Flava -The Missing Case-, an interactive riddle-solving attraction that challenges guests to solve a mission to find the missing Division team leader, Cafe Hypnosis Flava, offering food and drinks inspired by the world of Hypnosis Mic, and Store Hypnosis Flava, a shop selling exclusive merchandise featuring newly-drawn illustrations. A merchandise corner will be set up at the cafe, where six new items will be on sale to commemorate the Nagoya and Osaka events.

©︎ヒプノシスマイク-Division Rap Battle- HypnosisFlava@Mixalive TOKYO製作委員会

Luxury hotel W Osaka will be offering ‘ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring,’ a special menu inspired by the fashion duo AMIAYA, from April 1 until May 31, 2022. The menu items will be available at the Living Room area on the hotel’s third floor.

W Osaka Fashion Ambassador AMIAYA

ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring

LIVING ROOM

The event will utilize some of the popular strawberry dishes currently popular at the hotel, but will also include some raspberries and orange sweets. Some dishes will be decorated with flower petals, inspired by the vivid fashion of W Osaka’s fashion ambassador AMIAYA. The twins have attracted worldwide attention as models and DJs, and they celebrated their first anniversary on March 16. 

Savory options include a Quiche with Sakura Shrimp and Spring Cabbage and Caramelized Onion and Chevre Cheese plate. Guests can enjoy a total of 12 items prepared by the W Osaka chef team, all displayed on a beautiful afternoon tea stand. Each menu comes with a welcome drink and free refills for tea and coffee.

The pandemic has caused problems for people all over the world. Mental health has taken a beating over the last few years, and in order to help people take back control of their mental wellness, The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto will begin offering immersive meditation rooms for guests only! These rooms will allow guests to enjoy a soothing private space and will be available starting April 1, 2022.

Blank meditation 

tea mediation 

The Medicha meditation rooms consist of two spaces: ‘blank,’ where guests are surrounded by mist, and ‘tea,’ where guests will immerse themselves in beautiful water patterns. An original program shown on in-room televisions at the hotel will also instruct guests in the art of meditation. 

In ‘Blank Meditation,’ guests will stand in a cool mist and immerse themselves in layers of diverse sounds and shifting colors of light. This will help quiet the mind and create a ‘blank slate’ mentally. 

The ‘Tea Meditation’ room invites visitors to spend time with themselves while getting lost in shimmering water patterns in a dimly lit space as they carefully brew their own tea. Two types of tea are on offer, each with distinct aromas and flavors.