The SPYxFAMILY pop-up shop, first held inside Tokyo Station’s Character Street in April, will be coming to Matsuya Ginza from June 29 until July 12, 2022. 

Limited edition merchandise will be making a return, each featuring exclusive illustrations that saw huge popularity at the Tokyo Station event. Guests will also be able to purchase eight new items!

The lineup includes a rubber coin case (3 varieties, random), a clear multi-use pouch (3 varieties, random), an acrylic keychain featuring Anya, a Peanuts T-shirt with a new Anya illustration, and a mug. Each item is accented with Anya’s pink hair, adding to the cute factor.

Bonus Sticker

Bonus Cooling Towel

Goods

Customers spending ¥3,300 or more at the pop-up shop will receive a bonus sticker. Those spending ¥5,500 can choose between a mug or a cooling towel!

©遠藤達哉／集英社・SPY×FAMILY製作委員会  

Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya is now offering a scrumptious Strawberry Matcha Parfait until April 24, 2022! If that’s not up your alley, four Kyo Hayashiya locations in Shinjuku, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ikebukuro will begin offering a Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait from April 1 until May 8, 2022. 

Strawberry Matcha Parfait

The Strawberry Matcha Parfait is an eye-catching mix of green and pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms and bright green grass. Green tea blends with rose jelly and lychee sorbet, offering a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness. The sweet accent of crunchy chocolate feuillantine gives each bite a little kick.

Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait

The Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait mixes the deep, bitter taste of Uji matcha, the sweet and sour taste of berries, and the gentle sweetness of mascarpone cream. The berry sauce is blended with crunchy chocolate feuillantine, a layer of whipped cream, green tea jelly, green tea ice cream, and milk panna cotta. To finish, it’s garnished with refreshing raspberry sorbet, bittersweet matcha ice cream, and fresh strawberries.

From April 2 until April 22, Ginza Tsutaya Books will be holding a 5th-anniversary exhibition featuring art by three young female artists! These creators specialize in drawing girls, and the event will ask one question: what is ‘Kawaii?’ The artists featured are Amane Ishii, Azusa Nozawa, and Yumi Nagata. 

These three artists have captured the spotlight with their unique styles. Ishii prefers oil painting, Nozawa has a style perfect for manga, and Nagata specializes in more Japanese-style paintings. Those who planned the exhibition noted that the reason these three artists have become so popular stems from how they depict cuteness–they don’t try to conform to society’s idea of ‘cute,’ but rather depict what they themselves consider to be cute.

Many motifs in Ishii’s works are based on the artist’s personal experiences, many stemming from childhood. Her unique characters are sure to grab your attention, and although her pieces are two-dimensional, the linework almost makes them seem 3D. 

For Nozawa, ‘cute’ is the most important element found in her works. She often uses pastels, and something about the way she draws her characters is nostalgic, harkening back to purikura filters and manga characters of the early 2000s. Her unique worldview and nostalgic characters amount to truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

The girls appearing in Nagata’s pieces are projections of herself. She draws the clothes she would like to wear and the poses she’d love to strike! Pursuing her idea of ‘cuteness’ with traditional Japanese techniques and paints, she often includes polka dots in her works, which are a feminine symbol. 

The exhibition will feature two of Ishii’s oil paintings and 13 drawings, the first time such a large number of drawings have been shown all at once. In addition, three of Nozawa’s new portrait series will be on display, along with nine of Nagata’s works. 

‘Kawaii’ is one of the most prominent keywords found in contemporary Japanese culture. What does it mean to you?

Sony Park Mini, a tiny experimental art space in Ginza, is going to hold fans over until Ginza Sony Park opens in 2024. 

Sony Park Mini is located in a small 3.5 square meter space on B1F of the Nishiginza parking lot adjacent to Ginza Sony Park, which is currently under construction. The concept of the space is to “hold events that highlight local artists.”

More than 30 experimental programs will be held throughout the year highlighting unique creators and artists from all backgrounds including music, film, art, food, fashion, and shopping. Depending on which programs are popular, the project may extend to other cities. 

The first event, ‘Ayatake Exaki presents None Session,’ will run from March 23 until April 5, 2022, and will feature the musician and his piano.

Program Schedule
1: March 23 – April 5, 2022 / Ayatake Ezaki (Musical Artist)
2: April 6 – April 19, 2022 / Takuro Tamayama (Contemporary Artist)
3: April 20 – May 2, 2022 / Chiaki Kadota (Painter)
4: May 3 – May 16, 2022 / Neo Sora (Film Director), Aiko Masubuchi (Film Curator)
*The period of these events is subject to change. Any changes will be announced on Sony Park Mini social media accounts.

The Nishiginza Parking Lot Coffee shop, located inside Sony Park Mini, will offer a lineup of drinks made from carefully selected coffee beans. Vegan donuts and cookies made with natural ingredients will also be available.

The St. Regis Hotel Osaka’s current strawberry-themed afternoon tea set has been updated as of March 7, 2022!

The Fifth Avenue Collection, a strawberry afternoon tea set inspired by the hottest trends in New York fashion, is now available at the St. Regis Bar. The St. Regis New York Hotel was founded in 1904, and is located on 5th Avenue, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. This new afternoon tea set features a gorgeous three-tiered array of colorful savory and sweet dishes inspired by the many fashion items that line the shop windows of the NYC street.

The Spring Collection features brand new items, including six sweet items, four savory items, two scones, and three pass-around glass desserts. 

The legs extending from the Strawberry Heels glass dessert give a nod to the classiest scenery in New York, while the Strawberry & Mango Shortcake adds a vibrant touch of yellow, popular on the runway this season.

The desserts include lime and strawberry macaroons and plenty of chocolate for cocoa lovers. Those wanting something savory can enjoy meat-filled crepes and the spring vegetable and smoked salmon rolls. This bright and colorful set is sure to brighten up anyone’s mood!

The adorable Sylvanian Families characters are the subject of a new food-inspired exhibition at Matsuya Ginza in Tokyo! Until March 21, guests can enjoy tons of new merchandise for sale at the event space.

Key Visual

Sylvanian Families is a line of collectible animals made of flocked plastic, originally released in Japan in 1985. Made to place inside dollhouses, these little creatures have remained popular in over 70 countries since release. Over 200 million units have been sold over the years.

Key Illustration

The theme of this event is ‘delicious time,’ and guests can find adorable sets featuring popular characters cooking meals, preparing desserts, and baking cakes. 

“A Delicious, Happy Life” Photo: Keigo Morii

Ash Mimi “The Fairy’s Mysterious Sweets Shop” 

“Delicious Times with Friends in the Forest” Japan Dollhouse Association

In addition to panels and photos of unique combinations featured on social media, the exhibition features the first public showing of works by members of the Japan Dollhouse Association. A large photo spot also makes guests feel as though they’ve entered the world of Sylvanian Families!

[Only for Sale at the Venue] Baby Trio (Bakery) *Price to be Decided

A special store on-site will sell original merchandise, including dolls and illustrations. A limited number of special goods vouchers are also on sale for a short time, and guests exchanging one will receive an original hand towel!

Anniversaire Cafe Minatomirai Yokohama is holding a scrumptious limited-time sweets fair, Sweet Strawberry Valentine, until March 14, 2022! If you’re looking for all things chocolate and strawberry, look no further.

Strawberry Chocolate Plate

Strawberry Chocolate Pain Perdu

Strawberry Mont Blanc

Strawberry Chocolat Ole (Hot/Iced) / Sparkling Berry Soda

Strawberry Chocolate Afternoon Tea Stand

Strawberry Chocolate Afternoon Tea Plate

Petit Fleur

The Sweet Strawberry Valentine lineup includes three desserts, three drinks, two afternoon tea plates, and one dish for takeout. If you could only choose one, which would it be?

Ryohin Keikaku, which operates the interior design brand IDÉE, will open the ‘Life in Art: Tokyo Modernism 2022’ exhibition from February 25 until April 10, 2022. Vintage stores and galleries from all over Japan that deal mainly with furniture from the 1940s to 1960s will come together to introduce audiences to exquisite designs from around the world. Shinichiro Nakahara and Takahiro Goko have organized the exhibition in an effort to spread the word about modern design in the golden age. The exhibition will be held in three parts, beginning with a showing at ATELIER MUJI GINZA and continuing to an auction at IDÉE Tokyo. The final exhibition will be held at MUJI HOTEL GINZA.

Modernism Gallery

This exhibition is composed of items from a number of unique galleries and stores. Intended to promote the beauty of mid-century vintage furniture and interior design, each piece will be introduced alongside stories from the original designers. 

Modernism Auction #Chairs

Store owners, creators, and artists participating in TOKYO MODERNISM 2022 will be auctioning off a selection of unique chairs during this unique event.

Modernism Show

About 30 galleries and vintage shops from around Japan will transform the guest rooms on the 7th and 8th floors of MUJI HOTEL GINZA into stores for this special show. This is the main event and will gather together masterpieces of modern design from the United States, Brazil, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Ginza Tsutaya, located on the 6th floor of the GINZA SIX department store, is now holding a Spring Ceramic Fair until March 7, 2022.

Many popular ceramic artists are coming together for the event. This year’s lineup includes dishes and mugs with botanical patterns and animal motifs in spring-like colors to add color to tables and living spaces. A large number of works, from vases to tableware and even ceramic brooches, will be on display, including works by Wato Maekawa and Oda Pottery. 

Participating Ceramic Artists

Ritsuko Imai

After studying pottery in England, Imai currently lives and works in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. This year’s exhibition will show off her dyed works, including Zougan works, a technique in which different materials are inlaid into one material. Enjoy her small plates and teapots with soft colors.

Miki Furuhata

Miki Furuhata is a pottery artist in Nagano. Using gentle colors and unique self-made glaze, her colorful pieces are a lovely addition to one’s daily life.

Hanako Sakashita

Hanako Sakashita uses a ‘kneading’ technique, in which colorful clays are kneaded together to create patterns, marbles, stripes, checks, and countless other patterns. Enjoy the many textures, shades, and patterns found in her works!

Wato Maekawa

A ceramic artist living in Toyama Prefecture, Wato Maegawa creates works inspired by the four seasons. Her flower-shaped plates are reminiscent of Japanese sweets.

Toutousya

Using candle wax to make prototypes, these ceramic brooches and boxes are made with a technique adapted from candle making. These hand-painted pieces are very popular, and those on sale in this year’s exhibition are covered with flowers, birds, and animals in spring colors.

Oda Pottery

Oda Pottery was founded in 1921 in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture. Their lineup features vases that are easy to incorporate into any interior. 

Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi’s restaurant TENQOO, located on the 27th floor, is now offering a weekday-only lunch set with a scrumptious strawberry parfait until March 31, 2022.

Tochitome Strawberry Parfait

Appetizer & Salad Buffet

Dining & Bar TENQOO

The strawberry parfait, made with strawberries from Tochigi Prefecture, was designed to be a light and refreshing dessert. Guests can also enjoy the buffet-style appetizer and salad buffet along with a lineup of pasta.

Strawberries from Tochigi Prefecture were selected for their juiciness and balance of sweetness and acidity. With high sugar content, they pair wonderfully with jellies and cream. Complete with jasmine jelly and blancmange, this will be a lunch to remember.

Those familiar with the Ginza district of Tokyo will recognize the iconic Wako clock tower. The department store sells everything from watches to chocolates, and on the second floor of the Wako Annex, guests will find the Tea Salon. The bright and relaxing place invites adult shoppers to enjoy seasonal sweets, with its popular Strawberry Parfait constantly reinvented depending on the time of year.

This season’s strawberry parfait includes pistachios and local fruit. For a limited time, guests can also enjoy the Lychee and Raspberry Parfait until the end of February. A Fruit Parfait is available in March and April, and the Chocolate Parfait is available year-round.

At the Wako Annex Tea Salon, visitors can also enjoy light meals alongside tea and coffee specially blended for Wako by Yoshiaki Kawashima, known as the ‘coffee hunter.’

Strawberry Parfait

Lychee and Raspberry Parfait

Fruits Parfait

Chocolate Parfait

ティーサロンのメニューの中でも人気の高い、季節限定のパフェを堪能してみては？

Contemporary artist Osamu Watanabe creates works made from lifelike resin sweets. The ‘Strawberry Museum,’ an exhibition of these works unique to Valentine’s Day, will be held at the Hanshin Umeda flagship store from February 9 until February 15, 2022.

Strawberry Heart

Strawberry Carp

Chocolate Venus

The main themes of ‘strawberries’ and ‘Valentine’ will make guests feel nothing but love during this snowy season. Don’t these pieces look good enough to eat?