Japan-based chocolate specialty store Minimal is now offering a limited-edition set of gateau chocolates with fresh strawberries from Mei Strawberries in Kagawa Prefecture. These are available for preorder and are perfect for Valentine’s Day!

These sweets were a huge hit last year, selling out immediately. The rare variety of strawberries used is only found in 1 percent of Japanese strawberry farms, and these are blended with milk cream and specialty chocolate. 

The strawberry jam found on the top of each chocolate piece is made from these rare Nyohou strawberries.  Originally a small-grained variety, the Nyohou varietals send from Mei Strawberries in Kagawa Prefecture are larger with a beautiful dark-red color. Fragrant, juicy, and sweet, they also have a slight acidity that provide a more complex flavor.

To maximize the natural strawberry flavor, the chocolate is made from Madagascar cocoa beans with a more berry-like flavor. Only slightly roasted, the graininess is intact, leaving a more powerful and rich flavor. A milky sweet cream has also been added to the center to provide a better balance.

This is the second year that the company has worked with these strawberries from Mei, and after making a number of prototypes, Minimal has found the best possible way to express these unique flavors in harmony. 

Anniversaire Cafe Minatomirai Yokohama, a popular location for anniversary celebrations, is holding a limited-time Strawberry Garden fair for a limited time, from January 7 until February 6, 2022. Guests can enjoy a collection of strawberry sweets and pink drinks to start the new year in style.

Limited-Time Dessert Menu *Limited Quantities

Strawberry Plate: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Caramel Pain Perdu: ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Mont Blanc: ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

Limited-Time Drink Menu

Strawberry Tiramisu Latte, Hot (Left)/Iced (Right): ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

Sparkle Berry Soda (Center): ¥990 (Tax Included)

Limited-Time Afternoon Tea Plan *Limited Quantities/By Reservation Only

Strawberry Stand Afternoon Tea: ¥3,800 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Plate Afternoon Tea: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Limited-Time Sweets for Takeout *Limited Quantities

Petit Fleur (5 pieces): ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

The St. Regis Osaka Hotel is offering a special strawberry-themed afternoon tea set until May 2022. 

Strawberry Afternoon Tea ‘5th Avenue Collection’

Strawberry  Parfait ‘The New York Gallery’ 

Strawberry Afternoon Tea ‘5th Avenue Collection’ to GO!

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 Strawberry Heel Panna Cotta shows a woman’s leg peeking out from the dessert clad in a fancy high heel, while the Berry Opera is made to look like a designer bag. Many of the available dishes are made using seasonal strawberries sourced from around Japan.

The French Bistro Ruedor on the first floor is also offering ‘The New York Gallery,’ a strawberry parfait set of three inspired by the art of New York City. This set also comes with an assorted plate of six savory and sweet items.

The WOW Strawberry, with its pop-art motif, will surprise guests with its massive strawberries and variety of different textures from mousse to jelly. The LOVE Strawberry mixes juicy, sweet, and sour strawberries with pistachio mousse and was inspired by Banksy’s ‘Balloon and Girl’ painting. The Banana & Chocolate parfait pulls from the colorful wall art seen all around the famous city streets.

For those wanting something less sweet, hamburgers, hot dogs, and bagels, all popular on the streets of Manhattan, will be served alongside these strawberry delights. For those wary about the current pandemic conditions, the Fifth Avenue Collection can also be taken home!

FUKUCHA Teahouse, a Fukujen cafe in Kyoto, will start a limited-time Strawberries and Uji Tea Fair on January 8, 2022. Last year’s Matcha fair was incredibly popular, and certain items will also be available again in 2022. The new menu includes a strawberry version of the popular Herbal Tea Pairing Set, making it even more fun and elegant! Guests can enjoy flavorful Uji green tea along with a number of tasty strawberry treats. 

Mont Fraise: ¥1,150

Mont Fraise means ‘mountain of strawberries’ in French. This dessert is made with thin white chocolate and sponge cake soaked in matcha syrup with matcha cream and strawberries covering every inch. It is also served with a green tea chocolate sauce. 

Strawberry Pairing Set: ¥1650

The strawberry version of the popular Herbal Tea Pairing Set on the regular FUKUCHA menu.
・Ginger Blend Genmaicha and Strawberry Cheese Tart
・Hibiscus Blend Hojicha and Strawberry Chocolate Bonbons
・Cinnamon Blend Twig Tea with Strawberry Cream
・Peppermint Blend Twig Tea with Large Strawberry

Marscapone Strawberries: ¥1450

Using 10 strawberries, this parfait is designed to look like a herbarium. Putting a spoon into the light mascarpone cream will reveal the bright green color of the matcha chocolate sauce.

The Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka will hold a ‘Strawberry Fair’ at four of its restaurants starting on January 1, 2022!

Little Red Riding Hood (Mascarpone and Berry Mousse)

Forest Friend (Cream Puff), Friendly Bear Macaroons

Forest Tree Stump (Nuts & Pistachio Cake)

Menu featuring Strawberry Items

Cafe & Gourmet Shop ‘Cafe Bell’ 

Running: January 15 – February 28, 2022

Sweets

Strawberry Brioche Sandwich / Strawberry Pudding / Strawberry Pistachio / Strawberry Tart / Strawberry Shortcake

Bread

Strawberry Cannelé de Bordeaux / Strawberry & Almond Chocolate Danish / Strawberry and Cream Cheese Flute　

Chinese Restaurant ‘Shisen’ 

Running: January 6 – February 28, 2022

Strawberry Apricot Tofu / Strawberry Pudding

‘Bar eu’

Running: January 1 – February 28, 2022

Strawberry Grasshopper / Strawberry Milk for Adults / Strawberry Mojito

※Menu items subject to change depending on availability.
※Please inform the staff of any food allergies in advance.

Tokyo Gift Palette, located near the Yaesu North Gate at Tokyo Station, offers a wide selection of unique souvenirs. From December 26, 2021 until January 11, 2022, the location will be holding the Exciting New Year’s Fair, with the Strawberry Sweets Fair coming soon after from January 5 until January 25, 2022. 

Konigs-Krone Luxury ‘Strawberry Parfait’

Patisserie Ginza Sembikiya ‘Strawberry Omelet’

Strawberry Shop by FRANCAIS ‘Strawberry Parfait’

*Only available at Tokyo Gift Palette
Tokyo Kaikan ‘Reward Parfait ~Strawberry & Chestnut~

Strawberry Shop by FRANCAIS ‘Fresh Strawberry Milk Cake’

Oosumi Tamaya ‘Strawberry Daifuku’

Oosumi Tamaya ‘Chinese New Year Daifuku’

Tokyo Kaikan ‘Chocolate & Orange Tart’ 

Paq & Mog Terrace ‘Calbee and Tokyo Banana Bonito & Kelp Umami Dashi Potato Chips

The New Year’s Fair will feature cute cakes and sweets inspired by the Chinese Zodiac, along with traditional Japanese goods. The Strawberry Sweets Fair will see a number of popular goodies on sale, including desserts that won top prizes in the ‘Favorite Fruit Survey’ conducted by Tokyo Gift Palette on Instagram in June 2021.

The Ginza Lion Building, built in 1934, has been officially recognized as a registered Tangible Cultural Property.

On April 8, 1934, a beer hall was opened on the first floor of the building. The interiors were lavish and incredible for the time, and were admired by citizenry and architects alike. During the war, many beer halls were destroyed by air raids or torn down for evacuation, but this location in Ginza survived and was seized in September 1945. It was then made into a beer hall exclusively for the Occupation Forces. In 1952, the site was made available to the public again.

Lion Beer Hall 7-chome / Present Day

Lion Beer Hall 7-chome / Original Construction Completed

Lion Beer Hall 7-chome / Present Day

Lion Beer Hall 7-chome / Original Construction Completed

Large Glass Mosaic Mural at the Bar

Lion Beer Hall 7-chome / Store Interior

Lighting with Grape Motif

Lighting with Beer Foam Motif

The red brick walls of the restaurant are meant to resemble the Earth bearing a rich harvest

A pillar made to look like barley

The banquet hall on the 6th floor of the building, Ginza Classic Hall, was once used as a conference room and is currently used as a party venue. The interior hasn’t changed much since its establishment, and guests enjoy the historical setting as they knock back a few brews. Ginza Lion Beer Hall celebrated its 87th anniversary on April 8, 2021.

The interior concept of the hall is ‘fertility and harvest,’ and the Lion was built with the intention of being the ‘best building in the world, and a representative beer hall in Japan that will last for generations to come.’

From January 4 until April 30, 2022, Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto will hold a special Strawberry Fair at its cozy lounge.

Those who love strawberries enough to want to drown in them won’t want to miss this limited-time event featuring four unique desserts and an afternoon tea set.

Strawberry Parfait ‘Drowning Strawberries’ 

Guests can enjoy pouring warm homemade confiture made from Kyoto strawberries from Uesugi Farm in Yawata City over thin chocolate hidden beneath strawberry ice cream. This is recommended by the patisserie.

‘Strawberry Shortcake ~Buried in the Glass~’

This limited-edition version of the hotel’s strawberry shortcake is filled with white meringue and soft sponge, with cherry brandy flavoring making it light and easy to eat.

‘Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set’ 

Strawberry Stack Option

The popular ‘Afternoon Tea Set’ is served in a bamboo box made by Kochousai Kosuga, a bamboo craft manufacturer in Kyoto. This special strawberry version features nine sweet and nine savory items, including strawberry shortcakes and cream puffs. For a limited time until March, guests can add a pile of strawberries to the third tier. Using the special scoop spoon, you’ll feel as though you’re harvesting strawberries of your own! Be sure to take pictures.

Overflowing Strawberry Gift Box

Although it looks like a present, this dessert is meant to be enjoyed on-site! Overflowing with strawberry mousse, strawberry jelly, and pistachio brulee, raspberry sorbet, and streusel are hidden beneath the white chocolate box. Now that’s luxury!

The ‘Found MUJI Exhibition – Journey to Meet Good Things-‘ event will be held at ATELIER MUJI between November 12 and December 12.

10 years have passed since Found MUJI Aoyama was founded in Tokyo, having since visited over 30 countries and regions. Found MUJI explores the life and culture of land, researching tools, handicrafts, and techniques   to help improve daily living – Hence the name ‘Found’ MUJI. From roadside benches and mops dried in the eaves to aluminium stoves, each tool is naturally used on the land without consideration. 

Our daily lives are filled with various items. When, and why, did we start using those in particular? How did we discover them? Why do we keep them so close? If you take a closer look at the items you consider to be precious, you should be able to understand why you were attracted to it, love it, and hold it dear to you. Start by loving the items which are close to you – Look at then with a renewed outlook to find what you think is good about each item. Then, perhaps, visit the ‘Found MUJI Exhibition – Journey to Meet Good Things’ exhibition to learn more.

Yuki Suetsugu’s manga series Chihayafuru continues to be a massively popular series in Japan and abroad since its start in 2007. Now, the largest-ever collection of the artist’s original drawings will be on display at Matsuya Ginza from December 27, 2021, until January 17, 2022. 

Chihayafuru tells the story of Chihaya, a girl aiming to become the greatest competitive karuta player in Japan. Karuta is a Japanese card game, requiring players to memorize a collection of 100 classical poems in order to play. The Chihayafuru manga series has greatly boosted the popularity of competitive karuta in Japan. Generations of readers have been sucked in by the inspiring and romantic tale, and the series has grown to include an anime adaptation and a live-action film. With the series approaching completion, the three main characters, Chihaya, Arata, and Taichi, will take center stage at this expansive exhibition. 

With more than 500 items on display, guests are invited to take a look back at the story’s origins. Some pieces were created for the exhibition, while others will be shown in color for the first time. While the drawings may be the main focus, the exhibition will also include notes, setting materials, and behind-the-scenes footage. 

©末次由紀／講談社　

The ‘Shiseido Parlour Ginza Salon de Cafe’ has announced that between October 1 and October 31 2021, customers can enjoy a limited edition Autumnal sweets menu. This year their menu includes the Jersey milk ‘Japanese Chestnut Mont Blanc Parfait from Kyushu’ and the ‘Shine Grape Fruit Sandwich.’ There will also be two special additions to the menu to celebrate the 96th Azuma Odori.

Japanese Chestnut Mont Blanc Parfait from Kyushu using Jersey Milk: ¥2,500 (Tax Incl.)

Strawberry Parfait using “Koihime” strawberries from Nagano’s Hatake Kobo: ¥2,100 (Tax Incl.)

Weekday / Limited Quantity Products

Shiseido Parlour Story: ¥2,600 (Tax Incl.) (Drink Incl.)

Shine Grape Fruit Sandwich with grapes from Iizuka Orchard: ¥1,700 (Tax Incl.)

Shinbashi Color Ice Cream Soda: ¥1,150 (Tax Incl.)

The Japanese Chestnut Mont Blanc Parfait is made using Jersey milk ice cream, chestnut cream, and fresh cream, along with the “Koihime” Fruit Sandwich, made using Kashu “Koihime” Strawberries are available on both the regular and limited Shiseido Parlour Ginza menus. Meanwhile, the luxurious Shiseido Parlour Story and the seasonal Shine Grape Fruit Sandwich, filled with various Autumnal fruits and centred around the grape, are only served on weekdays and holidays in limited quantities.

In the late Meiji Era, Shinbashi geisha were often seen wearing blue and green kimonos, with the color combination being coined Shinbashiiro (Shinbashi Color.) The elegant and retro Shinbashi Color Ice Cream Soda recreates the iconic look using green apple syrup, lemon, and ginger ale, topped with a traditional vanilla ice cream.

 Immerse yourself in the season with a feast of Fall sweets in Ginza.

While ‘animals’ are one of Disney’s forever-themes, ‘dogs and cats’ are special amongst them for being like family to us humans. The upcoming ‘Disney Cats & Dogs Exhibition,’ held at Event Square on the 8th floor of Matsuya Ginza between December 1 and December 25, explores the charms of Disney’s beloved pets.

Mickey & Friends Pluto

Lady and the Tramp

101 Dalmatians

Aristocats

The movie ‘Bambi’ was an opportunity for Disney to challenge the tough task of “animals expressing themselves, while maintaining a realistic drawing style.” The crew invited animals into the studio, studying their anatomy and muscles to ensure a sense of realism. The characters were successfully drawn in an expressive way which captivated audiences, leading Disney to produce a large number of animal animations throughout its history. The exhibition will introduce visitors to the evolution   and innovation of Disney’s animal animation, along with the trial and error that it took to successfully draw animals expressing their feelings. The event is full of iconic Disney animals such as Pluto, the 101 Dalmations, Lady and the Tramp, and The Aristocats – It’s almost as if you’ve fallen straight into a Disney movie! 

The exhibition will showcase a wide collection of over 300 digital and archived works, provided by the Animation Research Library, which hosts, digitizes, and archives everything related to Disney animation. Pieces that could be damaged if removed from storage, such as original watercolor paintings and pastel illustrations, are digitized and exhibited for the world to enjoy in a scale much larger than the original, allowing guests to see the details in each piece of art. This unique digital aspect is one of the highlights of the exhibition.

You won’t want to miss out on this exhibition which features some of the most impressive dogs and cats in all of Disney works; You can laugh at Mickey’s friend Pluto as he features in some of Disney’s earliest gag animations, marvel at the romance of Lady and the Tramp, be thrilled by the dramatic escape from Cruella’s magical hands in 101 Dalmations, and even take in both the beauty of Paris and the cuteness of kitten Marie from the Aristocats.

Walt Disney himself was known for being a huge dog lover, spending his childhood with his family and their dog. This ‘Cats and Dogs’ themed exhibition will showcase characters with expressions and gestures that reflect Disney’s affection and familiarity with the animals. 

Why not go walkies around the ‘Disney Cats & Dogs’ exhibition?

 ©Disney