“HARAJUKU AR BOX -table projection mapping cafe-,” a cafe in Harajuku whose name speaks for itself, has announced its second collaboration with Rilakkuma to bring the new Rilakkuma Fruits Cafe which will open for a limited time from April 3, 2020 to June 28, 2020.

The cafe’s first collaboration with Rilakkuma was in December last year. It was called “Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror” and earned itself many fans for its cute food and decor, but especially for its interactive tables which used projection mapping technology to have Rilakkuma and friends running around people’s tables.

Harajuku’s Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror | Food Review: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/284456

Fruit is the theme of the new Rilakkuma Fruits Cafe, which follows that Chairoikoguma and the other characters have gathered lots of nutritious fruit to fill up the belly of hungry Rilakkuma.

Food

Rilakkuma’s Fruit Salad – ¥1,590

Get your fill of refreshing fruit from this fruit salad plate which has Rilakkuma poking his cute face out from behind it all. When you order this dish, you’ll need to touch the fruits that appear on the table to give them to Rilakkuma.

Korilakkuma’s Apple Cheese Gratin – ¥1,690

A combination of hot apple and melted cheese, you’ll find yourself addicted to the sweet and sour mix of flavours. Pick lots of apples with Rilakkuma and company with the projection mapping game. (*Serving April 3, 2020 – May 17, 2020 only)

Chairoikoguma’s Orange Burger – ¥1,690

The bun of this hearty burger is branded with Chairokoguma’s cute bear face. But what happens when you squeeze Rilakkuma’s orange? (*Serving May 20, 2020 – June 28, 2020 only)

Desserts

Rilakkuma’s Maku Maku Fruit Tree Parfait – ¥1,590

Korilakkuma’s Maku Maku Strawberry Tree Parfait – ¥1,590 (Serving April 3, 2020 – May 17, 2020 only)

Kiiroitori’s Maku Maku Peach Tree Parfait – ¥1,590 (Serving May 20, 2020 – June 28, 2020 only)

For dessert, you have a selection of fruit-topped parfaits to choose from featuring Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori.

Drinks

Rilakkuma & Friends Maku Maku Drinks – ¥790 / With Glass – ¥1,990

Warm & Fluffy With Everyone Cafe Latte – ¥890

Pick between one of the cold beverages, or if it’s a cold day, warm up with a hot drink. Feel warm and fluffy like Rilakkuma and his friends with a warm beverage after your parfait.

Exclusive Merchandise & Bonus Items

Pin Badges (9 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥400

Acrylic Key Rings (8 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥500

Get your hands on a selection of original merchandise too, including pin badges, acrylic key rings, and more.

Stickers (4 Designs/Chosen Randomly)

Coasters (4 Designs/Chosen Randomly)

Book a table online in advance and receive one of four possible stickers. Order a drink at the cafe and get one of the four coasters!

You’re sure to get your five-a-day when you dine at the Rilakkuma Fruits Cafe, opening for spring on April 3, 2020 in Harajuku.

©2020San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin is celebrating his 24th anniversary at three branches of the Pompompurin Cafe in Harajuku, Yokohama, and Umeda with a special birthday menu that will be served for the whole month of April.

A special celebratory menu for the floppy-eared golden retriever

The official date for Pompompurin’s birthday is April 16. The birthday menu line-up includes two food items, a drink made in collaboration with popular Japanese picture book author Yukako Ohde, and some novelty gifts.

Birthday Menu

Happy Birthday Flower Bouquet Bisque – ¥1,590 (Before Tax)

This cute bisque soup has Pompompurin and Muffin holding a colourful boquet made from broccoli and mashed potatoes made to look like roses. It has a rich but mild flavour, and is both adorable and filling.

Happy Birthday Strawberry Mousse – ¥790 (Before Tax)

The strawberry mousse has a fluffy texture and refreshing, sweet taste. It can be eaten as it is or drizzled with the accompanying raspberry sauce.

Yukako Ohde x Pompompurin Lemonade – ¥550 (Before Tax)

Take a sip from this delicious lemonade from a straw adorned with a cute, warm illustration of Pompompurin by Yukako Ohde.

Exclusive Anniversary Novelty Gifts

Lunch Mat Design

Customers who dine at any of the three cafes during the anniversary celebration will receive a free lunch mat.

Coaster Designs

And those who order the lemonade will receive a coaster with designs illustrated by Yukako Ohde. The designs are different at each branch of the Pompompurin Cafe. You can also receive another special coaster if you spend over ¥1,000 each (tax included) at Pompompurin Cafe Umeda and KIDDY LAND Osaka Umeda. Simply show your receipts at the cafe.

©1996,2020 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S605291

McCafé by Barista branches of McDonald’s in Japan released two new flavours in their macaron series on Wednesdayーpistachio and citronーwhich will be served for a limited time until the end of August this year.

 
The pistachio and citron flavours join McCafé by Barista’s colourful macaron series alongside vanilla, raspberry, and chocolate, which cost just ¥150 each.

The pistachio flavour is filled with a pistachio powder-dusted pistachio cream, giving the crunchy macaron a deliciously nutty flavour and fragrance.

The citron macaron is filled with a refreshing and sour lemon cream. Both of the new flavours are the perfect treat for the start of spring and going into the summer season. They’re even better with one of McCafé by Barista’s high quality coffees.

McCafé by Barista is also serving the “Special Macaron Set” for ¥500 which comes with any two macarons of your choice and a medium hot or iced latte.

GELATO PIQUE CAFE branches in Japan began their “Strawberry Fair” on Wednesday serving up drinks and desserts made using seasonal strawberries.

What is GELATO PIQUE CAFE all about?
“Desserts for adults” is the concept at GELATO PIQUE CAFE, a cafe brand developed by GELATO PIQUE which specialises is comfy loungewear. The cafe, which has branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and elsewhere in Japan, serves comfort food and is interested in the health and happiness of its guests. Their menu is overflowing with ideas, with all options made using only the best selected ingredients.

The enticing line-up is nothing short of kawaii, and screams springtimeーfitting for the season as Japan celebrated Vernal Equinox Day yesterday, the first day of springーwith sweet and sour strawberries adorning their crepes, smoothies, gelatos, soft serve ice creams, and more.

Strawberry Mille Feuille Crepe – ¥830 (Before Tax)

Topped with a whole strawberry, this mille feuille-inspired seasonal crepe is made with an in-house crafted strawberry cream, mille feuille puff pastry, and vanilla gelato. The strawberries used are a mix, all grown in Kumamoto Prefecture, including yuubeni, koinozomi, koiminori, and others. Much love and care is put into growing strawberries in Kumamoto, making them sweet and delicious.

White Strawberry & Red Strawberry Gelato – ¥460 (Before Tax)

This two-coloured serving of gelato ice cream is made with sweet-smelling white strawberries and a brand of red strawberry from Fukuoka called amaou. No strawberry lover will be able to resist this pick.

Strawberry Smoothie – ¥590 (Before Tax)

Enjoy a cold strawberry smoothie made from seasonal strawbs, milk, and honey. Indulge in the refreshing sweetness of the strawberries, and enjoy the cute pink flavour of the beverage.

Strawberry Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream – ¥450 (Before Tax)

Or grab yourself a cone of soft serve ice cream to enjoy the combination of flavours: sweet and sour strawbs and sweet, creamy milk.You can also get a mix together with the light blue vanilla flavour.

Shirasagi Coffee, a cafe in Ehime Prefecture, has released a new seasonal menu full of strawberries and cherry blossoms to commemorate the spring season.

Shirasagi Coffee’s logo features a heron, a reference to a legend that says the locals of Matsuyama in Ehime noticed that a white heron healed its injured leg by bathing in the hot springs of Dōgo Onsen, one of the oldest hot springs in  Japan. The cafe was renovated using furniture made from scrap wood from when Dōgo Onsen was built. It’s an artistic cafe that has garnered much attention from both locals and tourists.

Thick-Cut Natural Yeast Toast

This thick-sliced bread is provided by Panya Uzu, a bread shop also in Matsuyama, Ehime. Perfect for breakfast or lunch, it’s topped with a cherry blossom jam and mascarpone cheese cream.

Top: Cream Soda / Right: Cherry Blossom Tea Latte / Left: Cherry Blossom & Strawberry Mint Sour

This line-up of three drinks are made using seasonal strawberries grown in Ehime Prefecture.

Sweet Bavarois

Bavarois is a classic dessert at Shirasagi Coffee, and this one is made using matcha grown in the village of Shingu in Ehime and is coated in a cherry blossom cream.

Spring Madonna Parfait

This limited-time parfait is stacked with 12 different ingredients of varying textures and flavours, including cherry blossom, as well as Ehime strawberries, chestnuts, and matcha. It’s the culmination of Ehime’s springtime ingredients.

Takeout Drinks

Mini Parfait

The cafe also serves mini parfaits, drinks and other items for takeout. Pick something out and go and observe the cherry blossoms for Hanami at Dōgo Park.

MUUN SEOUL is a cafe located along Tonchan-dori Street in Harajuku that serves Instagram-worthy South Korean food.

Photo by Nagisa Kobayashi @popo_318

Photo by Nagisa Kobayashi @popo_318

The cafe sells “fatcarons,” a South Korean-style macaron which have proven very popular with young women in Japan.

Photo by Taeco @taecostagram

Fatcarons are larger than the standard macaron. They are topped with things like strawberries, given marble textures, and more to give them a cute appearance. MOON SEOUL serves many different varieties, all of which are standout compared to normal macarons.

Photo by Sara @__sar310

But the fatcaron experience at MOON SEOUL isn’t complete without ordering the drink above. It’s strawberry milk flavoured, but the milk is whipped until it’s fluffy, giving it a taste like no other strawberry milk you’ve tried. It also has sliced strawberries inside and on top, so if you love strawberries, you’ll love this.

Photo by Yuina @popochan726

You can order your fatcarons for takeout too in a clear takeaway box so you can go have a dessert picnic with your friends, and get a great photo of them all together too.

Dandelion Chocolate and IYEMON SALON ATELIER have joined sticky fingers to bake up their new “Tea & Cocoa Brownie” which is now being served at IYEMON SALON ATELIER KYOTO and Dandelion Chocolate Kyoto Higashiyama Ichinenzaka.

This collaboration came about to celebrate 1 year since IYEMON SALON ATELIER KYOTO opened. The chocolates fuse IYEMON SALON’s tea with Dandelion Chocolate’s organic, single origin bean to bar chocolate.

Tea & Cocoa Brownie (Uji Matcha/Houjicha) – ¥1,800 (Before Tax) *Contains 2 of each flavour

The two different flavoured brownies, Uji matcha and houjicha, are filled with a ganache made from Japanese tea and carefully selected chocolate from the Dominican Republic. The chocolate has a strong, rich flavour like that of coffee and cherries, but is still easy to get without it tasting overwhelming. The brownies are also vegan-friendly and gluten-free, containing no eggs, dairy products, wheat, or white sugar. They are the perfect accompaniment to both tea and a mild-tasting sake.

The vegan lifestyle is slowly gaining recognition in Japan, so don’t miss this chance to treat yourself to some melt-in-the-mouth vegan delights.

©Dandelion Chocolate Japan

TOKYO BANANA WORLD released a new vegan-friendly almond caramel flavour of its popular Tokyo Banana sponge cakeーthe official souvenir sweet of Tokyoーat the TOKYO BANANA store on the JR side of Tokyo Station on March 15, 2020.

This is TOKYO BANANA’s first vegan-friendly sweet. It’s made from 100% plant-based ingredients while keeping 100% of the product’s delicious flavour. That includes almond milk, which is promoted for its health and beauty benefits, and delicious caramel.

TOKYO BANANA Almond Caramel Sandwiches – Box of 4: ¥680 (Tax Included) / Box of 8: ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

Other ingredients include beat sugar, which is made from beetroot, a subtle banana flavour, and crunchy roasted almonds, all wrapped together in a bite-size sponge cake.

The product is both vegan and vegetarian friendly, containing no eggs or dairy products.

This tasty snack is available only at TOKYO BANANA in Tokyo Station, so be sure to pop buy and pick some up if you’re travelling through there.

If you’ve never heard of the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE in Tokyo, then you’re going to want to visit by the time you see what they’re cooking up for spring.

This year, the cafeーwhich is based on the idea of customers being inside the stomach of a giant monster that’s eaten Harajuku wholeーis holding a spring fair entitled “KAWAII×Sakura×Easter 2020” which is running from March 13 to April 26. The menu line-up incorporates elements of Japanese spring with a colourful Harajuku twist, from Easter to cherry blossoms.

*Menu item names have been translated from Japanese

Colourful Pop Burger Cock-A-Doodle-Doo Monster – ¥1,680

This new chicken monster burger is stuffed full of delicious goodness, including sukiyaki.

Cherry Blossom Bloom Rice – ¥1,300

The year is 2020, and spring has arrived in Japan. This Earth-inspired blue rice has cherry blossom coloured cheese fondue dolloped on top of it which is sat on a bed of black curry. The spicy curry has delicious burnt caramel inside it.

Tropical Bibimbap – ¥1,200

Bibimbap, the soul food of South Korea. This colourful version is topped with edible flowers and cherry blossom wheat-gluten bread, giving it that springtime feeling. The specially-made monster furikake gives the dish a real spicy kick.

UFO Doughnut Pancakes – ¥1,200

These chewy in-house made doughnuts are filled fat with strawberries, mikan, lemon mousse, and strawberry ice cream. Doughnut pancakes are the latest gourmet indulgence in Harajuku.

Sakura Mousse Piyo Piyo Cake – ¥980

Aka-chan is the name of this newborn monster chick, whose cute face is made from cherry blossom mousse.

Pastel Easter Sakura Rabbit Parfait – ¥2,400

Wearing a cute pointy hat and a colourful dress, this sakura Easter bunny is caked in strawberry, orange, and melon flavoured cream, strawberry ice cream, panna cotta, Japanese pudding, fresh strawberries, and raspberry sauce.

A trip to Harajuku this spring isn’t complete without a visit to the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, so don’t miss out on their spring fair.

Shiseido Parlour, a pioneer of Japanese-style Western cuisine, has announced that it is opening its new restaurant and lounge Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku on the 8th floor of WITH HARAJUKU, a shopping centre located in front of Harajuku Station in Tokyo, on April 25, 2020.

Goshu no Sosai With Seasonal Ingredients

Main Dish

Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku breathes new life into the Japanese-style Western cuisine that has been cultivated in Ginza for 100 years, serving up a new prix fixe-style fixed price menu that elevates the taste, smell, and appearance of the seasonal ingredients used, from a Japanese way of thinking. This food can be enjoyed with a glass of one of the main wines selected by the restaurant’s sommeliers, high-quality tea, and more.

Meals are enjoyed even more by the view offered at the restaurant, where you can see shrine groves of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Main Dining

Forest Dinner (Chef’s Recommendation) – ¥12,000 (Tax Included)

The design concept for the restaurant interior is forests. The restaurant promises a relaxing atmosphere like that of being wrapped amongst the mighty trees of the woods, the cool air blowing, and the rays of the sun spilling through the trees.

The interior design was created by Kazuya Ura, a Japanese architect who was involved with the building plan for the Kyoto State Guest House. The restaurant lounge features glass art on the wall which captures the image of sunlight filtering through the trees. This was created by Japanese glass designer Ikko Itabashi.

Lounge

The chic red lounge offers a view of the garden terrace and faces the direction of Akasaka. Tuck into appetisers and desserts and enjoy sipping on a drink. This is a great place to sit after your meal or for meeting up with someone.

If you’re visiting Harajuku during your trip to Japan, why not pop into the new Shiseido Parlour The Harajuku?

MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS is located in the heart of Harajuku’s tourism welcomes travellers from all over the world to immerse in Japanese culture in a way they’ve never experienced before. The cherry blossom-themed accommodation SAKURA is a blooming success throughout the year and ORIGAMI’s mesmerizing and clever designs never fail to make tourists crease their necks in amusement. 

The third Japanese culture accommodation has stomped into MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS as a fusion of sumō wrestling and sentō bathhouse culture called ‘DOSUKOI’. The word dosukoi is phrase that sumo wrestlers shout out to get hyped up – perfectly summing up your excitement as you explore this spectacular fusion world from corner to corner. From a giant sumō hand to a historical sentō bathtub with a magnificent mural artwork scenery, the entrance, living room and sentō-style bathing area is overflowing with originality.

Living Room

The entrance to the living room is themed around a sentō bath. The tiled roof and traditional entranceway noren fabric dividers will be the first thing to welcome tired travellers. 

A giant sumō hand overshadows the light on the ceiling, representing the tsuppari striking technique used by sumō wrestlers. The furniture, including the soft sofa, rug and chairs, is white and beige to represent the colour of the sumō ring. 

The relaxing room is punctuated with powerful illustrations of sumō wrestlers that cover the wallpaper. 

Bathroom

The round bathtub is made from Japanese cypress wood and is large enough to fit 3-4 people – perfect to soak off your tiredness with friends and family. A large wall painting (mural)  of a grand ocean view dominated by Mount. Fuji stretches across the wall. A purple curtain is suspended above the circular bath, representing the mizuhikimaku curtain which hangs above a sumō ring. 

The dressing area is equipped with a fridge and chair like a traditional bathhouse. DOSUKOI guests will also find complimentary bath salts which are a gift.

The grand mural is an original piece by Kiyoto Maruyama – one of Japan’s three remaining sentō mural artists. This graceful painting was created using a large and smaller brush. As you admire the bold colours and fine details of this rare art, which is fading away as society progresses, you will be sent on a journey back through time. 

Bedroom

The spacious sleeping area consists of two levels, each of which has enough room for two people to sleep. The room also has another bed in storage, meaning that up to five guests can stay. 

Sink and Toilet

The separate sink area is equipped with a hair dryer. There is also a Japanese Washlet toilet with multiple functions. 

Amenities and Extras

The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils, a microwave, refrigerator and all the daily essentials. 

After a long, relaxing hot soak, put on a light yokozuna yukata robe and you’ll feel just like a sumō champion. There are also many amenities and items that fit with the DOSUKOI theme. 

MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS isn’t just a hotel but is also the perfect party space for you and your friends to get together. As the cold days are still with us, how about warming up in a toasty sentō-style bathtub with your friends?

The Pokémon Cafe in Nihonbashi Tokyo is bringing two new “Sakura Aloha Pikachu” items to its menu this spring for a limited time. They will be served between March 14 and April 19.

The Pokémon Cafe previously served up a cherry blossom Aloha Pikachu-inspired dessert and latte last year too to celebrate one year since the cafe opened. This year, they’ve changed their designs.

Sakura Aloha Pikachu Fruit Sandwich Cake – ¥1,738 (Tax Included)

Sakura Aloha Pikachu Latte 2020 – ¥770 (Tax Included)

The fruit sandwich is filled with flurry strawberry cream and fruits, while the latte features cute latte art of Aloha Pikachu who has a fluffy cherry blossom afro.

Don’t miss these seasonal picks at Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe this year.

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Pokémon, ポケットモンスター, and ポケモン are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.