From the end of March to the beginning of April, sakura will bloom at Hirakata amusement park. There are approximately 300 sakura trees and eight varieties of tree including Yoshino cherry blossoms. Amongst the park attractions is the “Skywalker”; a giant ferris wheel that overlooks the park. The path to the ride is hilly and lined with sakura trees, so during full bloom, the path is completely covered in a bed of pink petals!   This theme park is unique in that you can enjoy the cherry blossom view and the rides simultaneously! The roller coaster ride “Red Falcon” is also located near a road lined with sakura trees, so you can enjoy an even more wonderful sakura-viewing experience! Plus, you can take your cherry blossom viewing to a whole new level on the “Skywalker” as the carriages of the ride overlook the park from the sky and remain in mid-air for approximately 10 minutes. ♡   Thanks to the arrival of spring, you can enjoy Hirakata Park sakura to the max!

Boneless Café 2019 is a collaboration with the popular LINE messenger app stamps Boneless Dog & Boneless Cat that's set to run from February 28 in Harajuku and March 13 in Osaka. The duo were created by Niigata-based graphic designer and illustrator Mofuya. When they arrived on LINE their popularity shot through the roof and they have gone on to sell books, merchandise and more, and their fan base continues to expand.

Boneless Cat's Fried Rice & Salmon (w/ Chinese Soup): ¥1,390 (Before Tax)

Boneless Dog's Snug Doughnuts: ¥990 (Before Tax)

The café's concept is that both animals have found themselves lost in a world of food. The designs of the food and merchandise incorporate Boneless Dog's lovely-dovey personality and Boneless Cat's morose attitude.

Boneless Café Acrylic Key Rings (7 Designs): ¥500 Each

Boneless Café Pin Badge (8 Designs): ¥350 Each

Also on sale is a range of exclusive merchandise not sold anywhere else.   There is also bonus merchandise available to those who book a table online. This includes stickers, lunch mats and more.   Dive into the delicious world of food together with Boneless Dog and Boneless Cat.

©Sekiguchi

The name 'Monchhichi' is a combination of the French word mon which means 'mine' and the Japanese puchi which means small and cute and chichi which is the sound of sucking of a pacifier.

   

In Japan, May 5^th is Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi). During this time, it is custom to put up decorative armour and helmets around the house. In olden times, this was a practice held only by military families, but it was common amongst the masses in the Edo Period. This custom is still practiced even today.

 

The Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka’s café and gourmet shop Café Bell is now selling a helmet-shaped cake for Children’s Day.

 

Helmet Cake

This chocolate crunch cake is layered with more chocolate, vanilla and strawberry mousse and coated in even more chocolate. The helmet crest is sprinkled with reddish-brown gold dust. It has an image that yells ‘brave’ to it.

 

Children’s Day Plan

A traditional kaiseki multi-course dinner with free drinks has been prepared for families to celebrate Children’s Day. There’s also a children’s bento that contains chimaki – a rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves – that’s said to ward off evil and contribute towards the healthy maturity of a child. Also, as a bonus to the plan, anniversary cakes will be given out!

 

Don’t miss out on this special menu at Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka.

 

 

Animo is a new indoor zoo set to have a pre-opening on March 24th, 2018 that will house a whole litter of animals from cats to rabbits, hedgehogs, owls and more. It will open along “Orange Street” in the stylish area of Minamihorie-dori in Nishi Ward, Osaka.

When the zoo fully opens, it will have many more animal breeds than the pre-opening, and the interior design will be even better.

The mini zoo will be home to small animals such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehods as well as owls, lizards, snakes and more.

The charm of this place is the combination of the cute décor that is based on the theme of ‘yume-kawaii’ (dream-cute) popular with middle school students, together with each of the animals lively bustling together. You can meet the animals face to face in their rooms! In addition, a collection of merchandise will be sold including original accessories as well as other small bits and bobs.

 

Meet the cute band of animals yourself!

 

 

Glorious Chain Café, managed by DIESEL, introduced two brand new matcha desserts to their menu on February 16th. They are sold at Glorious Chain Café branches in Shibuya, Osaka and Shinsaibashi.

The new items include a matcha smoothie made with fruits and a matcha parfait that's packed with jelly, rice flour dumplings, a waffle and more, giving a layered texture to the dessert.

Rice Flour Dumpling & Adzuki Bean Matcha Parfait - ￥1,480 (tax incl.)

Piled inside this parfait is sweet adzuki bean paste, rich matcha flavoured jelly, and sticky rich flour dumplings. The parfait is topped with a waffle which you can stuff with the ingredients in the glass. The highlight of this Japanese dessert is the mix of bitterness and sweetness.

Matcha & Fruit Smoothie - ￥800 (tax incl.)

The strawberries decorating the side of the smoothie will catch your eye for sure. The matcha smoothie is mixed with fruit berries and banana, and at the bottom sits whipped cream and strawberry puree which, while stirring, can be enjoyed as a sweet drink with the same texture as a parfait.

 

Tuck into these new Japanese-style matcha desserts at Glorious Chain Café.