Yohji Yamamoto’s clothing brand Ground Y is teaming up with Disney·Pixar to release a vintage collection inspired by the Toy Story animated film series. It will be released in Japan at Ground Y stores and online at THE SHOP YOHJI YAMAMOTO on January 27, 2021.

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The line-up brings together Yohji Yamamoto’s iconic monotone colours with Toy Story artwork. It features carefully-selected pieces to capture the beauty of unfinished art, with familiar faces such as Woody, Buzz, Zurg, the Little Green Men, and more, against contrasting black and white hues.

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The unisex collection includes a reversible hooded coat made from gabardine, a puffy sleeved sweater woven with high quality silk, hoodies, cut-and-sewns, tote bags, and more.

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Modelling the looks are actress Moka Kamishiraishi and actor Eiji Akaso.

A unique and stylish springtime selection by Ground Y and Toy Story.

Japanese food, condiment, and ingredient delivery service Oisix is teaming up with Disney’s hit animated feature film Frozen to release a new meal kit as part of their Kit Oisix series. The dish is called “Frozen – World of Ice Snow Stew” and it will hit the company’s website for a limited time on January 28.

Frozen – World of Ice Snow Stew | ¥2,149 (Tax Included)

Toothpick for Anna salad

Olaf rice

Recipe instructions

Recipe book and packaging

Lunch mat and toothpicks

In November 2020, Walt Disney Japan signed a contract to start the “Table for Tomorrow” project which looks to serve healthy meals to children. This is the second product in the project line.

The meal kit comes with a recipe book so children can easily follow along with making their Frozen inspired snow stew. It takes just 20 minutes to make and can be served on the Elsa lunch mat that comes with the kit.

The incredible beachside Hoshino Resorts BANTA CAFE, which offers guests a breathtaking ocean view along the Okinawan coast, released a video on the official Hoshino Resorts YouTube page showcasing the cafe’s ongoing illumination event, “Illumi Banta,” which is running until February 28, 2021. Guests can enjoy some limited-time menu options and then take a romantic stroll along the beach with a warm lantern in hand.

Okinawa is known for its warm climate, rarely dipping below 15°C in the chilly season of winter. There are many celebratory days enjoyed every year around Christmas and New Years, and so BANTA CAFE decided to get in on the action with Illumi Banta, which has been running since December 1 last year—while following the necessary precautions against COVID-19 to ensure everyone stays safe. The spacious cafe is mostly outdoors so visitors can enjoy their time without worry.

A seat at the cafe in on a clear evening guarantees a front row seat to a beautiful orange sunset that sinks into the horizon. Normally, the cafe closes as sunset arrives, but for this event, opening hour have been extended into the night.

BANTA CAFE is located in the village of Yomitan where the beautiful ocean is surrounded by coral reef, enormous rocks, and a rich natural environment. It’s a must-visit if travelling to Okinawa.

Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto Shrine in Yawata, Kyoto, has announced that a 5-day light-up event will take place from February 10 to 14 at the site’s main shrine which is listed as a national treasure of Japan.

Following government guidelines in response to COVID-19, the event will feature LED illuminations, glowing exhibits from craftsmen, lights made by locals from materials such as bamboo, and more, all in the hopes of creating a bit of evening-time sightseeing in the area. The event will also be streamed live online for those unable to attend where viewers can also enjoy watching ceremonial dance by shrine maidens.

Illumination and light-up events are a huge part of winter and the holiday season in Japan, but when Christmas ends, many of them are turned off until next year. But there are still some that run through the New Year holidays and into early spring, so we’ve compiled a list of 5 must-visit illumination and light-up spots to visit over the next couple of months.

Please note that the times and dates of these events are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Tochigi: The Garden of Illuminated Flowers ~Flower Fantasy 2020~

Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi, is holding an illumination event for winter called “The Garden of Illuminated Flowers ~Flower Fantasy 2020~” until February 7, 2021. Held for the 19th time this year, the event was ranked among the Top 3 biggest light-up events in Japan in 2017 alongside Sapporo White Illuminations and Huis Ten Bosch Illuminations. It was also ranked top by night view critics in Japan as the best illumination event for four consecutive years.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/366535 

▼The Garden of Illuminated Flowers ~Flower Fantasy 2020~

Address: 607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi
Running: October 17, 2020 – February 7, 2021
Official Website: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/flowerfantasy_special2020/en/index.html

▼MIDTOWN WINTER MOMENTS

Tokyo Midtown’s winter season event ‘MIDTOWN WINTER MOMENTS’ is running until February 28, 2021. “ANOTHER WORLD” is the concept for this year’s rendition of the annual event, which is enjoying new winter illuminations, Christmas decorations, an ice rink, and plenty of other fun experiences for people to enjoy throughout the entire day, right into the evening. A highlight of the event is the “MIDTOWN WINTER LIGHTS,” warm illuminations to light fires in hearts during the cold winter season that will create a dazzling spectacle the likes of which cannot be missed.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/366420

▼MIDTOWN WINTER MOMENTS
Running: November 19, 2020 – February 28, 2021
Official Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com

Kanagawa: SAGAMIKO ILLUMILLION’s ‘Pokémon Illuminations’

Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest’s annual SAGAMIKO ILLUMILLION winter event is taking place until April 4, 2021, and this year, it has brought that a new Pokémon with Pokémon illuminations. Wild Pokémon illuminations roam everywhere and there are plenty of Pokémon photo spots to take your picture with including Pikachu sleeping in the forest, Charmander taking a nap by an open-air, and more.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/375427

▼SAGAMIKO ILLUMILLION
Address: 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa
Running: November 14, 2020 – April 4, 2021
Illumination Times: 16:00-21:00 (Last Entries 20:30)
*Illumination times to begin from 17:00 starting in February
Official Website: https://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/illumillion/

Nagano: Karuizawa Shiraito Falls Midwinter Light Up

Shiraito Highland Way is holding this year’s Karuizawa Shiraito Falls Midwinter Light Up until February 14, 2021. Karuizawa Shiraito Falls is a 3-meter tall waterfall that spans 70-meters in length. The lights add a warmth to the cool evening and glow under a starry night sky. The event creates a different atmosphere from the summer light-up, allowing visitors to enjoy the enveloping nature in a way that they normally can’t and see beauty they may not have noticed in the area before.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/379120

▼Karuizawa Shiraito Falls Midwinter Light Up
Location: Karuizawa Shiraito Falls
Running: December 19, 2020 – February 14, 2021
・Christmas Session: December 19th-20th, 24th-27th (17:00-19:00)
・New Year Session: January 2nd-3rd, 8th-11th (17:00-19:00)
・St.Valentine Session: February 11th-14th (17:30-19:30)

Access: https://karuizawa-shw.com/access/

*Please see the website for the latest information
*Entry restrictions may be made depending on the number of visitors

Official Website: https://karuizawa-shw.com/

Shizuoka: Hikari no Sumika Winter Illuminations

Toki no Sumika is hosting its 19th annual winter illumination event “Hikari no Sumika” until March 21, 2021. There are many different illumination areas to enjoy at the event, like the Forest of Trees Illuminations, the 370m-long Tunnel of Lights, and more.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/359381

▼Hikari no Sumika 2020-2021
Running: September 18, 2020 – March 21, 2021
Address: Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika, 719 KōyamaGotemba, Shizuoka
Illumination Times: 17:30-22:00
Car Park Spaces: 2,000
Enquiries: 0550-87-3700 (9:00-20:00)

Official Website: http://www.tokinosumika.com/illuminations2017/renewal/

South Korean cosmetic brand peripera and Disney Store Japan are teaming up to feature Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck on the packaging products of peripera’s best selling items. The products are now available to buy via shopDisney and at Disney Store branches in Japan.

peripera is perhaps best known for its lip tint which was released in 2015. It was so successful it was dubbed the ‘national tint,’ and Japan even enjoyed its own exclusive limited-edition collection.

Eight of peripera’s products will feature in part of the collaborative line-up, with Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck decorating their best selling Ink Velvet tint, glittery Sugar Twinkle Liquid Shadow, Ink Color Cara mascara, and more.

As well as the packaging designs, peripera and Disney Store have come together to create some Disney Store-original items which you can see below, all perfect as gifts to yourself or someone special.

©Disney

23 facilities including shopping centres, hotels, parks, and more in Odaiba are participating in Illumination Island Odaiba 2020, a large-scale illumination event that opened on Friday and is set to run up to Christmas Day.

This year’s event is bigger than the last, with only 10 facilities having taken part in 2019. The main park in Odaiba will also be lit up for the first time this year. The event is taking place to express gratitude towards those facing hardship during the pandemic – to connect everyone via gorgeous lights for a brighter tomorrow.

*Please note that illumination dates and times differ for each facility

Participating Facilities (Excerpt)

DECKS Tokyo Beach

The third-floor seaside deck faces Odaiba Marine Park and offers a gorgeous view of Tokyo Bay. Winter illuminations will serve cosy vibes around the rest area and plants, and serves as the perfect site to gaze at the lit-up Rainbow Bridge against the backdrop of Tokyo’s nightscape.

Running: November 14, 2020 – February 14, 2021

DiverCity Tokyo Plaza

The Festival Hiroba’s staircase will be colourfully lit up from 16:00 every day until January 31, 2021. After that, it will be lit up from 17:00.

VenusFort

teamLab – “The Tree of Resonating Colors of Life”　©チームラボ

teamLab’s towering digital art installation The Tree of Resonating Colors of Life is running at Odaiba until February 7, 2021. The 8-meter tall three-dimensional tree is created from an accumulation of light spheres.

Palette Town Daikanransha

The Daikanransha Ferris wheel is a symbol of Odaiba and offers a panoramic view of famous sights around Tokyo up 115-meters in the sky.

Winter Illuminations: December 1, 2020 – December 25, 2020

Statue of Liberty

Odaiba’s Statue of Liberty will be lit up with rainbow colours, changing the atmosphere in the area completely.

Running: December 11, 2020 – December 25, 2020

ARTBAY HOUSE

Japanese artist Takahiro Matsuo is also getting in the the action with the prism art at his PRISM/GLOW exhibition.

Running: November 27, 2020 – December 25, 2020

Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station

A 5-meter tall Christmas tree is decorating Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station.

Running: November 27, 2020 – December 25, 2020 (Not running select days)

Disney SWEETS COLLECTION by Tokyo Banana is a sweets shop by Tokyo Banana in collaboration with Disney. A pop-up version will open in Kobe Hankyu from December 16 to 22 with a selection of sweets including two special treats releasing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Disney film Fantasia.

Fantasia 80th Anniversary Sweets

Disney Fantasia/Tokyo Banana

Disney Fantasia/Tokyo Banana (8 Included) | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

The packaging features Mickey Mouse’s iconic look as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

The chocolate sponge cakes are filled with chocolate banana custard cream and are decorated with a moon, stars, and Mickey’s head.

All boxes of these sweets come with a set of two random postcards too.

Disney Fantasia/Chocolate Sandwich

Disney Fantasia/Chocolate Sandwich (28 Included) | ¥3,024 (Tax Included)

This beautiful box of chocolate biscuit sandwiches will be limited to 80 tins per day.

The light and crunchy cookies are banana milkshake and chocolate flavoured and feature memorable scenes and references to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice part of Fantasia.

The pop-up shop will be selling a variety of other collaborative treats too as part of the Disney SWEETS COLLECTION by Tokyo Banana.

Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMIHOUSE. is the first cafe to open in Atami specialising exclusively in strawberry desserts. This Christmas, the cafe is serving up a new Christmas cake, winter afternoon tea set, and strawberry milk beverage, all of which hit the menu on Friday (December 4).

Hitorijime Christmas Cake | ¥1,000 (Before Tax) *Comes with drink

A dreamy Christmas cake for one loaded with cream and sweet strawberries. There’s a strawberry on top and more in the middle squished between soft sponge.

Winter Afternoon Set | ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

The cafe has turned its popular afternoon tea into a wintertime version for Christmas, served with a mini bavarois in the shape of a strawberry, strawberry ice cream, melty fondant chocolate, and a rum raisin chocolate tiramisu. A delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and rich flavours.

Hot Strawberry Milk | ¥400 (Before Tax)

A hot strawberry milk to feel cosy in the cold winter weather, topped with plenty of cream and a sprinkling of strawberry powder. Enjoy it as it is or mix together for a creamier beverage.

The winter menu is seasonal and so will only be available this wintertime.

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.

The splendid Yuushien Garden in Matsue, Shimane, is now hosting a dazzling winter illumination event titled Kogane no Shima Zipang 2020 (Golden Island Zipang 2020) until January 11, 2021.

Golden Island Zipang 2020

Yuushien Garden is located on the eastern side of Matsue on Daikon Island, a volcanic island in Nakaumi. The garden has been called the most beautiful Japanese-style garden in all of Japan, which makes it the perfect setting for the illumination event. 50 projectors at the garden are using projection mapping to create a flurry of flashy illuminations.

It’s a full pixel illumination display coupled with music that’s sure to dazzle all who visit. this winter.

Sanrio’s beloved character pair Kiki & Lala, also known as the Little Twin Stars, are hosting a special winter event titled “TWINKLE COLOR CHRISTMAS” at Shinjuku Southern Terrace from December 1 to 25, illuminating the area with beautiful Christmas lights, as part of their 45th anniversary.

Kiki & Lala’s twinkling Christmas tree magical in the daytime and night time

The towering 4-meter tall Christmas Tree is decorated in countless mirror balls which reflect beautifully both during the day from the sun and at night with Kiki & Lala’s illuminations. A special light show is also taking place from 16:30 each day with Christmas songs.

Decorated around the tree are Kiki & Lala neon signs and pastel-coloured adornments.

Those unable to visit Shinjuku this Christmas can access the “TWINKLE COLOR CHRISTMAS AR TREE” digitally This will have Kiki & Lala’s Christmas tree appear on your phone when taking photos. You can access it here.

Kiki & Lala treats at the Sanrio Cafe Wagon

Limited time menu

45th Anniversary Items

On weekends, as well as from December 19 up to Christmas Day, a food wagon will make an appearance at the event serving Kiki & Lala food and drink like the pink and fruity Ruby Chocolate Latte and fruit-filled Twinkle Crepe.

©’76,’20 SANRIO 著作(株)サンリオ