Fans of Japan and Japanese culture may know that Kobe’s food scene is not to be missed. A new restaurant, KANBE, is now open and tells the story of the city’s food culture. The grand opening was on November 30 in Sannomiya.  

The story begins with water, the source of Kobe’s food. The city’s famed fare like Kobe beef, Suma salmon, and seasonal vegetables  will take the stage through storytelling, projection mapping, and uniquely planed dishes. Ingredients are served to guests the same day that they are delivered to the restaurant, offering the freshest possible experience. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks made in Kobe, including Nada Gogou sake and Kobe wine. These are made using Nunobiki water from the Rokko mountain range, meaning that everything guests enjoy was truly made in Kobe.

At KANBE, visitors will chat with a storyteller who weaves the story of Kobe’s food into the experience. A chef himself, he is well-versed in cooking methods, food history, and nutrition. 

The 18-meter-long counter adds to the experience by displaying seasonal scenery, the water of Nunobiki, and the night view from Mt. Rokko. Nature sounds, like the murmuring of Nunobiki Falls and the chirping of birds, also echo through the restaurant in time with the projection mapping, creating an atmosphere that feels alive.

Why not come enjoy a new kind of dining experience?

From November 11 until December 25, 2022, Roppongi Hills Christmas will cover Tokyo in glittering lights once again. The Keyakizaka Lights, one of Tokyo’s most popular winter attractions, will also take place in 2022, with the 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street covered in over 800,000 blue and white LED lights.

For the first time in three years, the Mohri Garden will be covered in lights as well. The annual Christmas market will invite guests to experience an authentic German Christmas, and Christmas cakes and gourmet food unique to Roppongi Hills will be for sale. 

The Roppongi Hills Christmas event utilizes LED lights and has done so since the first event was held in 2003. Clean power will be used again this year, and the lights will be switched on from 5 PM until 11 PM each night. 

On July 18, the upscale teppanyaki and yakiniku restaurant Honten Yamashina opened a new location in Ginza! The hybrid restaurant has taken over the entire top floor of GINZA PLACE, which is directly connected to Ginza Station. Overlooking the Ginza 4-chome intersection, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy some authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Honten Yamashina mainly uses fully-matured Omi beef, the highest grade available among Shiga Prefecture’s top-tier beef, from Okazaki Farm. The cows are allowed to fatten for a considerable amount of time and live stress-free lives for over 40 months. Less than 1% of all Wagyu cattle are shipped after 24 months of age, and this delectable meat is characterized by its sharp taste and fattiness. 

Luxurious Wagyu and Sea Urchin Sushi

Early Summer Plate to Enjoy with Seasonal Flowers

Selected Extra-thick Beef Tongue Steak Made with Refined Attention to Detail

Grilled Spiny Lobster Made on a Charcoal Grill

The Playful Yamashina Wagyu Slider

Melt-in-your-mouth Sweet Amala Tomato (Vegetable of the Day)

Hand-selected Omi Beef Steak

Truffle Omurice

Japanese-style Teppanyaki

Guests can enjoy authentic Japanese teppanyaki cuisine with a modern twist. While sitting at the contour, visitors will enjoy a live performance by Taku Osada, a teppanyaki chef with over 20 years of experience.  

The wide variety of meat can be enjoyed in a number of different ways, whether it be raw, grilled, stewed, or properly cooked. From tongue and rump to filet and sirloin, you won’t leave hungry. Visitors can also enjoy seafood and seasonal Japanese vegetables along with their meat, and the flowers and leaves that adorn each plate will change depending on the time of year.

In addition to rare teppanyaki dishes like skirt steak and 3cm-thick beef tongue, Honten Yamashina also offers some playful dishes such as sliders. As the temperature differs on different parts of the steel cooking plate, each item can be cooked to a temperature that maximizes its specific flavor. Honten Yamashina also has a massive cellar housin over 1,000 bottles of wine and hard-to-find spirits. 

Japanese-style Yakiniku

For those looking for a more private experience, guests can enjoy yakiniku in a completely separate room. Each private room has a grill that will cook meat to the perfect temperature, and only at Honten Yamashina can you enjoy fully-matured Omi beef. The signature cutlet sandwich is made with chateaubriand cooked at a low temperature and deep-fried in a thin batter, then served on crispy bread with a soft, fluffy interior.

Teppanyaki and yakiniku are typically thought of as meat-based dishes, but the restaurant can accommodate vegetarian guests if contacted in advance. 

When Japan opens up to tourism, will you be visiting this incredible restaurant in the heart of Tokyo?

The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum will run from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day.

Visitors to the museum can also enjoy the Sailor Moon Museum Cafe, which will offer delectable dishes inspired by the series!

Cosmic Heart Compact Dessert Plate: ¥1,730 (Tax Included)

This dessert plate features a colorful and fluffy recreation of Sailor Moon’s Cosmic Heart Compact. With raspberry mousse as a base, a crispy icing cookie sits on top.

Sailor Moon Museum Sliders: ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

The signature menu features sliders decorated with the museum’s logo along with a salad and soup inspired by one of the main character’s colors. Guests can enjoy two different sliders: steamed chicken basil sauce and shrimp and egg.

In the Name of the Moon, I’ll Punish You! Omurice: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

This omurice features Sailor Moon’s classic silhouette and is finished with a rich and creamy white sauce. Served with a salad, this meal is well-balanced and very filling!

Sailor Soldier Rainbow Parfait: ¥1,480 (Tax Included)

This colorful parfait was inspired by Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Moon. Filled with fruits and jellies, this treat is filled with unique textures and tastes.

Sailor Chibi Moon’s Pudding a la Mode: ¥1,630 (Tax Included)

This adorable arrangement of sweets inspired by Sailor Chibi Moon has a retro feel. Filled with strawberries, white peaches, and ice cream, this dessert will look great on social media!

New menu items will be included during the second volume of the museum starting September 10, so stay tuned!

Come surround yourself with all things Sailor Moon! Which of these adorable treats do you want to try? 

©Naoko Takeuchi

The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum will run from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains massively popular to this day.

　
The exhibition will feature the largest-ever exhibition of original illustrations by Sailor Moon’s creator Naoko Takeuchi, at over 600 pieces. The museum will have three phases, each swapping out different pieces, so fans can have a different experience depending on when they visit!

The event will include an ‘immersive experience theater,’ which will display colored images on a massive 4.5 x 8-meter screen with special effects. Fans can also enjoy a ‘hologram manuscript exhibit,’ which will display the Sailor Scouts’ famous dialogue. Plenty of merchandise will also be available for purchase, with the second round of available goods just announced!

Original Merchandise (Second Lineup)

Clear Folder (’90s Anime Logo)

Clear Folder (Random, 5 varieties)

Masking Tape Holder

Masking Tape (Luna, Artemis & Diana)

Hat (’90s Anime Logo)

Cloth Shirt (’90s Anime Logo)

Aurora Sticker (Random, 10 varieties)

Reversible Cushion (Luna & Artemis)

Pochette (Luna)

Face Powder Collection (5 varieties)

The second round of original merchandise features many items utilizing the ‘90s anime logo, including a shirt, hat, and clear folders. A themed masking tape holder was made to resemble Sailor Moon’s Moon Stick, and the tape itself features the cats Luna, Artemis, and Diana.

The interior of the special store created for the exhibition was designed by Wataru LINDA Igarashi, an art director known for his cute pieces based on the concept of ‘window shopping.’ 

Come experience some serious nostalgia at the Sailor Moon museum later this year!

© Naoko Takeuchi

Key Coffee is teaming up with Junkissa Journey, a website helping people find the best cafes for a third collaboration. Guests are welcome to visit Almond Roppongi to test a new menu inspired by old-fashioned junkissa, or cafes that don’t serve alcohol. A selection of unique cream sodas in retro glasses and other tasty treats will be available from March 17 until April 10, 2022.

Blooming Cream Soda

Tokimeki Coffee Shop Plate A

Tokimeki Coffee Shop Plate B

Roppongi Pastry Ring with Anko & Butter

Strawberry Milk Sandwich

Morning Tea Set 

Two different lunch sets, a scrumptious dessert, and a breakfast option will be available alongside colorful cream sodas and milkshakes. The drinks are inspired by spring and look just like cherry blossoms and violets! The Adelia Retro glasses are stamped with a Showa-era retro decal, allowing customers to enjoy the charm of a nostalgic pure coffee shop not only in taste but also in appearance. 10 other limited-edition menu items will appear at the event, so keep an eye out for more info!

Curious George is getting his first themed restaurant for a limited time! The Curious George Kitchen is scheduled to open at Tokyo Solamachi on March 17 and will feature an entirely original menu of George-themed dishes. Unique merchandise will also be available!

Food Menu (Selected Items)

‘Good Night?’ Curry Hamburger Steak & Omelette

‘Balance, Balance!’ Meat Sauce Pasta

‘Hundley!?’ Hot Dog

‘The Manager’s Recommendation!’ Burger & Pasta Plate

Dessert Menu (Selected Items)

‘The Wobbly Tower!’ 7 Plain & Chocolate Pancakes

‘Jiggle Wiggle!’ Caramel Almond Pudding Gnocchi

‘Let’s Paint!’ Sweet Crepe Plate

Take-out Menu

‘I love the Man in the Yellow Hat!’ Cannoli

‘Colorful!’ Fruit Panna Cotta

Drinks (Selected Items)

Art Collection Au Lait

Original Merchandise at a Glance

Visitor Bonus: Commemorative Coaster (Not for Sale)

The pancake tower is not only delicious but perfect for posting to social media! Those wanting to social distance can also order from the take-out menu to enjoy some tasty treats at home.

Curious George merchandise exclusive to the restaurant will be available, including kitchen goods. Some can actually be used while enjoying your meal at Tokyo Solamachi, so be sure to stop by!

In order to explore a future made possible by telecommunications, NTT DOCOMO will hold the ‘Peek into the Future of Design: Imaginary Margins’ exhibition at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 3 in Roppongi, Tokyo, from March 19 until March 27. The event will explore the future of technology through the lens of design. 

The exhibition asks an important question: “Can people and technology exist in harmony in the future?” A number of product and device prototypes will be on display along with interviews with the designers and creators. All of these products are unfinished, which will allow for more unique perspectives!

Because these are unfinished products, we can see traces of the thought process that went into the shapes, colors, and materials used. These prototypes range from speakers to projectors and more. Along with the prototypes, keywords related to the inspiration, sketches, design drawings, and materials used in the conception process will decorate the space from the floor to the ceiling.

Starting February 11, the Roppongi Museum will begin a new event to celebrate the upcoming release of Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween, coming to theaters in April 2022. The ‘Halloween Gift’ event combines a museum experience with aspects of the real world, and guests will be able to visit and enjoy until June 5, 2022. 

Called a ‘Live Museum,’ the new brand of entertainment combines theater, puzzle-solving, and a museum exhibition. Each visitor will become a character working with Conan and his friends to solve riddles based on The Bride of Halloween film.

Merchandise at a Glance

RM Acrylic Figure (10 varieties)

RM Pin

RM Pâtissier Conan / RM Pâtissier Furuya

RM Poster Card Set

RM Bruno Hot Sandwich Maker / RM Bruno Kettle

RM Mini Towel Conan/ Furuya / Haibara / Matsuda

RM Embroidered Pouch Conan / Furuya / Haibara

RM Drifter Backpack / Tote Bag / Shoulder Bag

RM Secret Book

Special merchandise only available during this event has been unveiled, and fans can snag items featuring Conan and Furuya, a major player in the new film. Other popular characters also make appearances, so Detective Conan fans should try to grab their favorites before they’re gone!

Tokyo’s favorite Christmas event has begun! Roppongi Hills is a popular destination for shopping, eating, and having a good time, and the Roppongi Hills Christmas 2021 celebration brings the complex to life with plenty of holiday spirit. The Keyakizaka Lights signal the beginning of the Christmas season in the area, and this winter tradition is not to be missed! 

Keyakizaka Lights

The 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street is covered in over 700,000 blue and white LED lights, and the scene has become a popular representation of what Christmas looks like in Tokyo. This year’s West Walk shopping arcade will also feature the special Bon-Bon Blossom installation, a Christmas tree made to look like bonbon chocolates.

Does this look like your ideal Christmas scene?

Art collective teamLab has made a splash with their Reconnect exhibition, inviting visitors to enjoy a number of alternating hot and cold baths to transform their senses as they traverse a massive and constantly transforming art exhibition. From October 18 until November 23, the exhibition will feature incredible autumn scenery, including the piece ‘Proliferating Immense Life in the Rain – A Whole Year per Year.’ This constantly-moving image is not pre-recorded, but rather, the leaves will sway and respond to visitors’ movements. Due to the popularity of the exhibition, more ticket plans are now available, including morning tickets for limited entry on weekdays. Guests can also reserve one sauna room for private use.

Ephemeral Solidified Light
teamLab, 2021, Interactive Installation, Sound: teamLab

Step into the Light Circle
teamLab, 2021, Interactive Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi, teamLab

A Whole Year per Year / Proliferating Immense Life in the Rain – A Whole Year per Year
teamLab, 2020, Interactive Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

Levitation
teamLab, 2021, Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

In collaboration with popular app TikTok, Reconnect aims to be a more down-to-Earth art experience. Rather than going to a prestigious museum, guests are invited to reconnect with the world and with the concept of time as they explore the exhibition. With senses heightened by the use of each sauna, visitors might find that they are able to relax and experience the beauty of the world more than ever before. 

Prepare for the ultimate comfy camping and dining experience! The Riviera Zushi Marina in Zushi City, Kanagawa, is opening a glamping-themed restaurant, Malibu Farm Kamakura Terrace, for a limited time only. Returning from a popular run last year, the comfy spot will be open from October 1 until February 28, 2022, with reservations now open. 

In addition to Malibu Farm’s commitment to fresh, organic, and local ingredients, this year’s menu will feature sustainable ingredients, with plenty of seafood and vegetables. Guests can relax in the luxurious comfort of their own private tent, enjoying a meal and the crisp sea air. 

Malibu Farm, incredibly popular with celebrities from L.A., opened its Japan location last March at the Riviera Zushi Marina Resort. Looking over the ocean, the locale offers breathtaking scenery with over 900 palm trees and a collection of luxury cruisers and yachts. 

Introduced last winter, the Kamakura Terrace is perfect for winter, with each private tent heated while not obstructing the view and giving guests a safe place to enjoy time with family and friends. This is the ideal location for birthdays and anniversaries, and watching the sunset will offer an unforgettable way to celebrate.