Japanese company LEGS is opening up ‘BANANA FISH Cafe and Bar – galleries -‘ in Ikebukuro, Tokyo for a limited time from December 17, 2020 to January 24, 2021. The cafe will serve up food, drink, desserts, and merchandise based on New York, which is the setting of the Banana Fish series, and the series characters.

Banana Fish is a manga series written and illustrated by Akimi Yoshida. It was serialised in Bessatsu Shojo Comic from 1985 to 1994. An anime series aired in 2018 on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block and other channels which garnered the series many fans of all ages.

The cafe comes as a follow up to the 2018 and 2019 limited-time Banana Fish cafes which were also opened by LEGS. This year takes on an ‘art gallery’ theme, in which diners can immerse themselves in with a line-up of artwork to decorate the cafe.

The Menu (Excerpt/Pre-Tax Prices)

Food

Ohashinokuni Breakfast | ¥1,399

A stylish assortment of individual foods such as natto garnished with olives and salt, zakkoku millet, fried mackerel, and more.

N.Y. HOTDOG STAND | ¥1,499

A hot dog set menu with two different hot dogs to choose from, served with a choice of a side such as fries and a drink. Comes with one of two Banana Fish paper napkins.

Desserts

N.Y. Style Pancakes | ¥1,299

Classic New York-style buttermilk pancakes loaded with ice cream and banana, finished with a squirt of whipped cream, and drizzled in maple syrup.

N.Y. Style Doughnut Set | ¥999

Choose from three different doughnuts topped with pistachios and nuts together with a drink such as coffee for a classic American cafe-stop break. Comes with one of two Banana Fish paper napkins.

nori² Christmas Set ¥1,099 | nori² New Year Set ¥1,099

The nori² Christmas Set is a parfait made like a Christmas cake with sponge and strawberries. Available December 17, 2020-December 25, 2020 only.

The nori² New Year Set is a Japanese-style parfait filled with anko red bean paste, rice flour dumplings, and peach. Drizzling the mitarashi sauce over the parfait is a must! Available January 5, 2021-January 11, 2021 only.

Drinks

From Left: Ash / Eiji / Shorter / Shin / Lee | ¥799 Each

Fruity and colourful drinks inspired by four characters from Banana Fish.

Bonus Items

Customers who book a visit to the cafe in advance (¥650 per person before tax) will receive one of six possible face mask cases. Visitors will also get one of 15 replica tickets.

Additionally, for every drink ordered, they can get a free coaster from 7 possible designs.

Original Merchandise (Pre-Tax Prices)

Character Acrylic Badge (7 Designs) ¥650 Each / Memory Acrylic Badge (10 Designs) ¥650 Each

Clear Multi Case (3 Designs) ¥1,000 Each / Towel Handkerchief Set (Contains 2) ¥1,550 Each

The cafe will sell a range of original and exclusive merchandise both at the cafe and via their online shop too, so don’t miss out.

Availability Period: December 17, 2020 at 10:00 – January 24, 2021 at 23:59
Early Bird Bonus Item: One replica ticket (15 designs) *Available until December 31, 2020

Lose yourself in the world of Banana Fish at this very special limited-time cafe.

©Akimi Yoshida・Shogakukan / Project BANANA FISH

Laforet Harajuku is always first in line when it comes to the latest brand trends. This week, from December 1 to 7, Japanese zipper bag brand Pake® is running a pop-up shop at the Harajuku-based shopping centre.

Pake® launched its brand in October 2019 and became incredibly popular on Japanese social media for its simple yet stylish designs. The brand has gone on to collaborated with various artists like Yumi Matsutoya as well as cosmetic and fashion brands such as ADDICTION BEAUTY.

The Quantum Tone Dark Cyan | ¥400 (Tax Included)

The Filler Tone Olive Drab | ¥600 (Tax Included)

The zipper bags come in a variety of colours and sizes. They are made with a barrier film that cuts 80% UV which protects the items inside from sunlight. They are also waterproof, dust-proof, and odour-resistant. Making the product as strong and resistant as possible means the zipper bags are reusable, not only for storing at-home bits, but for camping, water sports, and more.

HUMANMADE®︎×Pake®︎ Set 1 | ¥2,500

UNDERCOVER×Pake®︎Set 2 ¥2,200

The pop-up shop will also sell two sets made in collaboration with fashion brand UNDERCOVER (pre-sales) and NIGO® brand HUMAN MADE®.

Get the best and most stylish zipper bags around with Pake®.

Sarutahiko Coffee released a Christmas-exclusive seasonal flavour of its popular Jellatte dessert drink on Tuesday (December 1) which it’s calling the “Maroron Merry Pudding Jellatte.”

Maroron Merry Pudding Jellatte | ¥750 (Before Tax)

The beverage is the second in this year’s Christmas themed drinks to be released by Sarutahiko Coffee. It uses a coffee jelly base made from Ethiopian coffee beans and contains layers of mascarpone cheese from Italy, a chocolate sauce made from Cacao Hunters chocolate, milk pudding, four kinds of mixed berry jellies, pistachio milk pudding, milk foam, and to top it all off, chocolate pieces and pistachios.

The pistachio and mascarpone bring a richness to the dessert drink which blends deliciously with the freshness of the berries and full-bodied coffee for a combination that’s like a warm and cosy Christmas hug.

Moomin Cafe branches around Japan, which are themed on the Swedish fairy-tale Moomin books, released their Christmas menu on November 20.

Moomin Cafe Winter Season Menu | ¥4,800 (Before Tax) *Photo is a portion for 2

The seasonal menu is a very special set containing a burger, chicken, salmon milk soup, raspberry juice (which is adored by the Moomin family), and more, so you can eat heartily like the Moomins this winter.

Souvenir Cup (2 Designs)

Visitors can also order a dessert and choose from two different mugs. Takeout is available at each of the cafes so you enjoy a Moomin Christmas at home.

Table reservations are available via the Moomin Cafe website so customers can ensure they can get booked in during the busy holiday season.

If you’re in Japan for Christmas then don’t miss out on a visit to the Moomin cafe.

©Moomin Characters TM

Japanese company LEGS has announced the opening of two limited-time cafes themed on the video game KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory which will run from December 11, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory is a rhythm action game developed by Square Enix. Released on November 11 in Japan and November 13 everyone else, it is the latest instalment to Square Enix and Disney’s video game series Kingdom Hearts.

The cafe menu features a line-up of dishes, drinks, and desserts inspired by characters and worlds found throughout the internationally-beloved video game series. The items all adhere to Disney’s nutrient guidelines and so are low in salt and sugar, offering fans a healthier option. The cafe will also sell a range of original merchandise.

The Menu

Food (Excerpt)

<Sora> Power of Waking Tomato Pasta | ¥1,599

A red tomato pasta inspired by Sora that comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<Riku> Daybreak Chicken Burger | ¥1,599

A black chicken burger based on Riku becoming enveloped by the Power of Darkness. This dish also comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<King Mickey> King’s Tuna Sandwich | ¥1,399, with plate +¥2,000

A tuna sandwich branded with a King Mickey symbol that comes with a side of fruit.

<Neverland> Island Seafood Curry | ¥1,699

A squid and shrimp seafood curry inspired by Peter Pan’s Neverland which you can travel to in Kingdom Hearts.

Drinks (Excerpt)

<Sora, Riku & Kairi> Fate’s Pineapple Herb Soda | ¥899, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

A pineapple herb soda based on the Paopu Fruit from the series.

<Roxas, Xion, Axel> Sea Salt Ice Cream & Milk | ¥1,199, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

Based on the sea salt ice cream that Roxas, Xion, and Axel all eat together. It’s served with hot milk that can be poured over the ice cream for a tasty treat.

<Hundred Acre Wood> Honey Latte | ¥799, with mug +¥1,650

A latte sweetened with Winnie the Pooh’s favourite thing in the world: honey.

Merchandise (Excerpt)

Folder ¥500 / Acrylic Magnet ¥700

Tote Bags (3 Designs) | ¥3,500 Each (Timeless River/Keyblade A/Keyblade B)

Bonus Items

Customers who book a table in advance (¥650 before tax) and order from the menu will receive one of two folders, and if they order a drink, one of four coasters. Available while supplies last.

© Disney. © Disney/Pixar.

*All prices listed are pre-tax

Sanrio’s popular characters Kiki & Lala, also known as the Little Twin Stars, are getting their own themed cafe which will open for a limited time at the Fruits Parlor & Bakery Season & Co. in LINKS UMEDA in Osaka From December 3, 2020 to January 24, 2021.

The cafe will serve up a variety of menu items inspired by the Little Twin Stars as well as sell related merchandise. There will also be a photo spot for taking cute pictures, and a special dessert assortment made in collaboration with the popular artist Dream Ami which includes a parfait made up of their favourite sweet treats.

Cafe Menu (Prices Listed Before Tax)

Menu ①: December 3, 2020 – December 25, 2020

Little Twin Stars Shortcake (X’mas Ver.) | ¥1,900

Kiki’s Shooting Star Sweets Parfait | ¥1,600

Menu ②: December 26, 2020 – January 24, 2021

Little Twin Stars Tart | ¥1,700

Lala’s Shooting Stat Sweets Parfait | ¥1,700

Drinks Menu (Excerpt) (Available Throughout Collaboration)

Little Twin Stars Strawberry Tea Latte | ¥1,000

Dream Ami’s Special Collaborative Menu (Available Throughout Collaboration)

Dream Ami×Little Twin Stars Star Sweets 2020 2,100円

Customers who spend more than ¥1,000 (before tax) on merchandise at the cafe will also receive a free A4 folder. These are available while supplies last.

Dream Ami’s collaborative dessert looks both cute and delicious and definitely worthy of being on a Little Twin Stars menu!

Four branches of the Snoopy-themed PEANUTS Cafe, as well as its online shop, launched a collaboration with the Japanese zipper bag brand Pake® on Friday (November 27) to release a collection of leopard print zipper bags.

PEANUTS Cafe Nagoya Gets New Interior Design Artwork

As part of the collaboration, PEANUTS Cafe Nagoya has put up a colourful piece of framed artwork on the first floor. At first glance, it looks like simple leopard print, but if you look closely, you can see Snoopy floating around in that colourful world.

PEANUTS Cafe x Pake Zipper Bag “The Clandestine” | ¥1,100 (Before Tax)

PEANUTS Cafe and Pake’s collaborative zipper bags come in blue and pink, both with leopard print backgrounds visible thanks to the clear bag allowing you to also see the items you put inside.

Snoopy art from an old-time Peanuts comic

The artwork used on the zipper bag is taken from a Peppermint Patty story published in January 1975 over several days. It’s the scene when Patty’s dad is late arriving home and can’t sleep so is invited to Snoopy’s room. She jumps onto his waterbed and he goes flying up and down.

© 2020 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Two branches of Animate Cafe, Animate Cafe Ikebukuro 3 and Animated Cafe Nagoya 2, are set to collaborate with Attack on Titan from November 25 in promotion of the anime’s upcoming final season which will begin airing on December 7. This marks Animate Cafe’s fourth collaboration with the anime.

Menu

Animate Cafe held a poll amongst customers who dined at the previous Attack on Titan collaboration cafes to find out what the most popular dishes were. These have been chosen to go on the menu for this collaboration.

5 Years Colossal Hamburger & Mother’s Handmade Stew | ¥1,000

Eren Meringue & Bertholdt Tart | ¥750

Hange’s Experiment Drink | ¥600

Eren’s Death Wish Drink | ¥600

New additions to the menu include Hange’s Experiment Drink and Eren’s Death Wish Drink.

The Final Season Special Rose Cake | ¥750

Gorgeous Champagne Jelly | ¥600

Original merchandise

Big Acrylic Stands (4 Designs) | ¥1,600

Trading Pins (A Group: 6 Designs/B Group: 7 Designs/C Group: 4 Designs) | ¥400 Each

Print Cookies | ¥1,000 Each (Comes with 1 illustration card)

©️Hajime Isayama・Kodansha / Attack on Titan The Final Season Production Committee

Sai Sai Jaran Jaran is a featured series here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON from the members of the all-female band SILEN SIREN (aka Sai Sai) who visit various hot spots in Japan and experience different things, the Sai Sai way.

In Episode #10, SILENT SIREN drummer Hinanchu wanted to go and stay at a hotel in Tokyo, so she decided to take a trip to sequence MIYASHITA PARK, a new hotel inside Shibuya’s new landmark shopping complex MIYASHITA PARK which itself opened in August 2020.

The newly-reborn MIYASHITA PARK is a four-storey shopping complex with stores located on the first three floors and the top floor being home to the park. The park houses a range of exercise and sports sites like a skate park and bouldering wall as well as the green area and even a Starbucks. This park is so spacious that it’s easy to forget it’s right next to busy Shibuya Station. It has been open for three months now and is already adored by the community.

sequence MIYASHITA PARK is an 18-storey hotel that stands on the north side of MIYASHITA PARK. It can even be accessed from the complex’s fourth floor park which leads visitors to the lobby lounge. The park side of the hotel is also home to a cafe called VALLEY PARK STAND.

VALLEY PARK STAND can be used by non-guests at the hotel too and is open from morning to night time. The windows tower from the floor to the ceiling, allowing plenty of natural light into the cafe. There’s plenty of seating areas with table seats, sofas, and benches.

MIYA PITA CHICKEN SHAWARMA ¥900 | FRENCH FRIES & COCKTAIL COMBO ¥800 (Tax Included)

VALLEY PARK STAND is a cafe themed on a fictitious valley park, acting as one big park situated in the middle of bustling Shibuya. Adventuring through the valley park is best done with one of the cafe’s signature “MIYA PITA” pita sandwiches in hand.

The cafe offers a selection of coffees, pastries, and pitas for lunch and breakfast. In the evenings, customers can switch to the bar to enjoy something alcoholic. Their original craft cocktails are very popular and are made by a bartender who honed their craft while working in New York.

Hinanchu ordered the “Park & Pomegranate Bellini.” Normally hotel cocktails are small, but the ones served at VALLEY PARK STAND are much more generous.

The cafe even sell their own merchandise, from mugs to tumblers and even picnic blankets so you can have a picnic in MIYASHITA PARK if the weather calls for it!

For more information about VALLEY PARK STAND, check out our full breakdown here.

VALLEY PARK STAND
Address: sequence MIYASHITA PARK 4F, 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 7:30-23:00 (Last Orders 22:30)
TEL: 03-6712-5442

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valleyparkstand/

The hotel check-in lounge can be found on fourth floor, the same as VALLEY PARK STAND. Check-in uses a new unmanned self-service system so all you need to do is follow the instructions.

Guest rooms are simple but the furniture and fixtures are of high quality. Hinanchu stayed in the 4-person “BUNK BED 4” room. Prices vary depending on the season, but it can cost less than ¥5,000 for one person to stay in a 4-person room which is a bargain!

The wide windows in guest rooms look out across MIYASHITA PARK. Depending on the hotel room you’re in, you’ll also be able to see landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. The windows also read “Hi, TOKYO!” on them which makes for the perfect photo opportunity.

All rooms are also fitted with reading material by young authors. If you scan the QR code next to their piece, you can learn more about them and even make a donation.

Check-in is at 17:00 and check-out is 14:00 so guests can enjoy their stay leading into the early afternoon of the next day. The MIYASHITA PARK shops open at 11:00, so after checking-out, guests can go straight to shopping or lunch.

So, how did you find MIYASHITA PARK, Hinanchu?

“I’ve always lived in Tokyo, so I never imagined I’d stay in Shibuya, but you can really feel like a queen staying here! Despite it being smack bang in the middle of Tokyo, it’s right next to the park which feels good. I definitely recommend it to those who live in rural areas that want to come and play in Tokyo since places like Shibuya and Harajuku are close by. The hotel is littered with art and stylish design, so it’s not simply a stay but a creative experience too which I think will be popular with foreigners. I want to come here again on my own for a relaxing time!”

On the fifth floor of the hotel is the restaurant and bar Dōngxī Restaurant & Sakaba which offers both breakfast, and dinner. The new entertainment restaurant and bar SOAK is also opening on November 13.

If you’re thinking of staying in Tokyo or Shibuya, be sure to look up sequence MIYASHITA PARK.

Photo: Kayo Sekiguchi
Text: Sayoko Ishii

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

PARCO Pte Ltd, the Singaporean division of Japanese department store chain PARCO, opened the new Jurassic World Café at ION Sky on the 56th floor of the ION Orchard shopping centre in Singapore on November 6, 2020. The café comes as the first Jurassic World Café to open in South East Asia and serves an original line-up of food and drink, an exhibit of everybody’s favourite Velociraptor Blue from Jurassic World, a selection of exclusive merchandise, and more.

Jurassic World Café Singapore

The Jurassic World film series is hugely popular in Singapore, and so it’s only fitting that the country gets its own themed cafe. The menu is diverse, consisting of a special selection created by PARCO’s own The Guest Cafe & Diner as well as local food like Nasi Lemak, unique picks like the Brachiosaurus Mint Pandan beverage, and much more. There will even be a merchandise shop for fans to pick up a souvenir on their way home.

PARCO Singapore has collaborated with The Guest Cafe & Diner, a cafe which collaborates with franchises and of which there are five branches in Japan, on five separate occasions up and down South East Asia, including the Minions Cafe which opened for a limited time in Singapore in 2017. PARCO Singapore is continuing to expand its reach outside of Singapore with other collaborative cafes and exhibitions.

The Menu

Danger lurks at every corner in Jurassic World, and that fact is captured in the menu line-up.

Cafe Bonus Items

There will also be special gifts given to customers.

To see the full line-up, be sure to check out the official website below and pay a visit to Jurassic World Café Singapore.

The chilly winter season is on the horizon, but Kirby Café Tokyo and Kirby Café Hakata will keep customers warm with their new winter menu which will be served from November 11, 2020 to February 28, 2021.

Kirby Café Winter Menu

Food

Winter Kirby Burger & Clam Chowder Pasta | ¥2,680 (Before Tax) *Comes with souvenir plate

Mogu Mogu Kirby’s Poka Poka Pie Stew | ¥2,680 (Before Tax) *Comes with souvenir cup

Kirby is staying warm and cosy with his scarf on the burger and clam chowder pasta dish. For the stew, Kirby’s entire face is made from pie.

Kirby’s Hot Crumble Bowl | ¥1,980 (Before Tax)

This hot crumble is served in a cute Kirby bento box which you can take away with you.ス

Desserts & Drinks

Ice Dragon☆Pastel Cream Anmitsu | ¥880 (Before Tax)

Kirby Café’s Authentic Oven Baked Pizza ~Berries and White Chocolate~ | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

The Ice Dragon☆Pastel Cream Anmitsu is a Japanese-style dessert while the pizza is a dessert pizza perfect for wintertime.

Kirby Fighters 2 Menu

Wrestler Kirby Burger | ¥1,580 (Before Tax)

King Dedede & Meta Knight’s Tag Dessert | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

The cafe is also serving up a meal and dessert in collaboration with the new Nintendo Switch title Kirby Fighters 2.

Kirby Café Original Merchandise

Postcards | ¥150 Each (Before Tax)

Winter Blanket | ¥2,700 (Before Tax)

A selection of exclusive and seasonal Kirby Café merchandise.

Following her Halloween-inspired look for Shiseido Beauty Square, Japanese pop icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu returns to the beauty facility with a new white and snowy winter look which was unveiled on Monday (November 2).

Shiseido Beauty Square

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu became the ambassador for Shiseido Beauty Square when it opened back in June. The concept of the beauty facility is centred on having people discovering their beauty, having fun, sharing experiences, and learning the latest in the scene

Winter Key Visual

Kyary’s winter look for 2020 features a breathtaking headdress inspired by snowy skies, silver flowers, and powdery snow. The look was made in collaboration with top Shiseido hair  and makeup artist Tadashi Harada.

If you’re stuck on what makeup to wear for winter, and are in Tokyo this holiday season, be sure to pay a visit to Shieido Beauty Square where you’re sure to discover a new you.