The first wholesale produce market of the year for Muscat of Alexandria, a white wine grape and special local product of Okayama Prefecture, was held at Ota Wholesale Market in central Tokyo on the morning of May 28.
Before the market opened at 7am, a PR ceremony was held which was attended by the vice-governor of Okayama Prefecture. “I wish to humbly taste Okayama Prefecture’s proud Muscat.” After the vice governor’s greeting, the 100-or-so people associated with the market each treated themselves to a grape one by one.
The first quotation of the stock is a staggering ¥100,000 for one bunch of the grapes, which was the highest value for a bunch last year. It was said that this year’s winter was harsh, and it was difficult to control the temperature in-house making it a lot of work, but the time and labour has paid off. The sugar content of a portion of the grapes has increased to 22.4 from 16 which is the delivery basis.
Muscat of Alexandria are called the ‘queen of fruits’ in Japan for their rich flavour and exquisite sweetness. They have become synonymous with ‘high quality grapes.’ They originate from Egypt which has a hot, dry climate. It’s said that Cleopatra loved the grapes too. Japan has low precipitation, and Okayama Prefecture is known as ‘the sunny country,’ and so this is where the grapes have come to be cultivated. It has been 132 years since they began growing Muscat of Alexandria, which comprises over 90% of the market share for grapes in Japan.
The Muscat of Alexandria grapes, which dropped in price on the morning of the 28th, receive an early sale in the afternoon in the city. Additionally, the ‘Okayama Muscat Fair’ is set to take place on June 2 and 3 at Ginza Sembikiya and June 9 and 10 at the Sembikiya flagship store in Nihonbashi.
Okayama’s Muscat of Alexandria can be enjoyed from May 28 to the end of October. Their taste is like no other, so why not treat yourself or buy some as a gift for that special someone?
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Tea in Spontaneous Order - Dynamic Equilibrium Color. ©teamLab The former Fukuoka Soy Sauce Building was built in the Meiji era and was once used for soy sauce production. The basement is now a tea room filled with black water with lanterns floating on top. Touching one will cause it to light, and will cause a spontaneous order phenomenon. A spontaneous order phenomenon occurs when different rhythms are influenced by each other and become aligned. Examples include when the pendulums of two clocks gradually begin to swing together when many fireflies gather in one tree and all start flashing at the same time. The exhibition has been incredibly popular since it opened on April 15, 2021. Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, teamLab wants more people to be able to come to experience this unique art performance, hence why the exhibition has been extended. Information
Teamlab: Tea Time in the Soy Sauce Storehouse
Running: April 15, 2022 – March 31, 2023
Details: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/teatime/
Location: Fukuoka Soy Sauce Gallery (17-35 Yuminocho, Kita-ku, Okayama) -
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Original Kyaridango: ¥1,300 (Tax Included) / 15 pieces
These tasty ‘Original Kyarydango’ have the same taste as traditional kibidango, but feature Kyary’s face printed in edible ink. These sweet sets were sold in limited quantities at the Okayama Civic Hall, and are now available to purchase on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website until February 20. A T-shirt featuring the collaboration logo has also been revealed. The front features the Original Kyarydango and the updated logo, while the back is decorated with the Kyary 10th Anniversary logo and project logo. The shirt is also available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website.Information
Koeido (Okayama) x LPJP Collaboration Kibidango ‘Original Kyaridango’
Price: ¥1,300 (Tax Included) / 15 pieces
Address: Okayama Civic Hall (2-2-1 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama)
Online Sales
Running: February 6 – February 20 at 23:59
LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Online Shop: https://store-localpowerjapan.com/
*These products are made to order. Shipping is scheduled for the end of February.
Koeido (Okayama) LPJP Collaboration T-shirt
Price: ¥3,300 (Tax Included)
Available: February 6 – February 20 at 23:59
LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project Online Shop: https://store-localpowerjapan.com/
*Please allow two weeks to one month from the time your order is placed for item to ship. Part of the proceeds from the sales of these T-shirts will be donated to selected recipients for local development and social contributions.
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Okayama prefecture is known for its mild climate and nature. BEAMS Japan has developed 81 unique products, with some highlighting the denim creation in the region and others showcasing local crafts. As Okayama is closely associated with Momotaro, a figure out of Japanese folklore, peaches are very prominent in the region and can be seen in a number of these special products. Selected products from the collection will be available at the Taipei location from February 24 until March 13, 2022. Although travel has been made incredibly difficult during the pandemic, this pop-up shop was made possible by Okayama prefecture and BEAMS Japan. Information
BEAMS EYE on OKAYAMA
Running: December 22, 2021 – January 25, 2022
Location: BEAMS Japan (3-32-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Special Site: https://www.beams.co.jp/special/teamjapan/okayama/
BEAMS Official Online Shop: https://www.beams.co.jp/tag/211222_BJ_01/ （BEAMS JAPAN）BEAMS Japan Pop-Up Store Taipei
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Address: 340 Fujin St, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
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Information
Haremachi Garden x NAKED FLOWERS -Blooming Winter-
Location: AEON Mall Okayama
Running: November 3, 2021 – February 14, 2022
*Open every day, rain or shine (May close due to extremely stormy weather.)
*Dates and hours are subject to change based on the situation surrounding COVID-19.
Hours: 17:00-22:00
*November 3 hours will be 18:00-22:00
Admission: Free
Aeon Mall App: https://www.aeon.jp/sc/aeonmallapp/
Official Site: https://naked.co.jp
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A completely original menu themed on the characters
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Period ①: Hamburger Plate / Yaki Udon | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)
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Period ②: 1st Year Banana Parfait / 2nd Year Strawberry Parfait / 3rd Year Grape Parfait | ¥1,100 Each (Tax Included)
Period ③ menu exclusives to be revealed
Get some freebies simply by ordering
Period ①: Drinks Coaster / Food Coaster / Parfait Costers
Period ②: Drinks Coaster / Food Coaster / Parfait Costers
Period ③ exclusive freebies to be revealed
Character birthday cards
Kanon Shibuya - May 1, 2021 / Sarah Kazuno - May 4, 2021
Ai Miyashita - May 30, 2021 / Nozomi Tojo - June 9, 2021
Mari Ohara - June 13, 2021
Merchandise to add to your collection
Releasing: April 29, 2021
Acrylic Stands | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)
Art Panels | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)
Releasing: May 15, 2021
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Bonus merch for every ¥2,000 spent
Bromides | Available April 29, 2021 - May 14, 2021
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©2013 プロジェクトラブライブ！ ©2017 プロジェクトラブライブ！サンシャイン!! ©2020 プロジェクトラブライブ！虹ヶ咲学園スクールアイドル同好会 ©2021 プロジェクトラブライブ！スーパースター!! ©GENDA SEGA Entertainment Inc.Information
SEGA x Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Collaboration Cafe
Running: April 29, 2021 – June 13, 2021Where: SEGA Collaboration Cafe Akihabara 3 (SEGA Akihabara 3 Floor 7F) / SEGA Collaboration Cafe Stand / SEGA Akihabara 4 / Nanbasennichimae / Sendai / Okayama / Fukuoka Tenjin / Sasashima
Schedule
Period ①: April 29, 2021 – May 14, 2021
Period ②: May 15, 2021 – May 28, 2021
Period ③: May 29, 2021 – June 13, 2021
Cafe Details: https://sega-collabocafe.com/top/nijigasaki03.html
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Angel Touch ©TAKADA Akemi
The exhibition introduces original pictures of famous anime characters and Takada's illustration work. Though solo exhibitions have been held many times for her in both Japan and abroad, this hails as one of the largest exhibitions ever with 200 drawings. Fans will also get to see new works as well which were drawn for the exhibition.Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel ©Pierrot Kimagure Orange Road ©Izumi Matsumoto / Shueisha・Nippon TV・Toho
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel 2 Information
TAKADA Akemi Exhibition: Angel Touch
Running: Until November 8, 2020
Location: Kurashiki City Art Museum, 2-6-1 Central, Kurashiki, OkayamaOfficial Website: https://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/kcam/