Hoshinoya Tokyo, a traditional ryokan in Otemachi, has announced the New Year’s Kabuki Plan, a two-day, one-night stay from January 5 until January 7, 2023. During the Edo Period, citizens enjoyed watching Kabuki plays during the New Year’s holidays, often sipping tea at connected teahouses. This event will invite visitors to experience what this was like, complete with traditional food and decorations.

Watching Kabuki was a chic way for those in Edo to ring in the new year. Theater teahouses were also a popular gathering place–along with arranging tickets, the teahouses offered plot notes, tea, sweets, boxed lunches, snacks, and other drinks.*

*Hiroshi Fujita, Yoshihide Tomizawa (2012) / The Updated Kabuki Dictionary, Kashiwa Shobo

Relax Before Enjoying Tea and a Play

Guests are invited to relax in the Ochanoma (Living Room) Lounge, decorated to look like a traditional teahouse with fans, ukiyo-e prints, and formal curtains. Hanabiramochi, or rice cakes with flower petals, will be served with green tea. These rice cakes are said to date back to the New Year’s tradition of eating hard foods like daikon and rice cakes in the hopes of prolonging one’s life. Characterized by its curious burdock root aroma, the cakes are sweetened with white miso bean paste. 

Enjoy a Post-Viewing Mont Blanc Shaped like Soba with Sweet Dessert Wine

At theater teahouses in the Edo period, sake, snacks, and desserts were served one after another. During this special event, a menu inspired by this practice and prepared by Hoshinoya Tokyo Executive Chef Noriyuki Hamada will be served! Soba noodles were often served after a play in the past. Inspired by this tradition, Mont Blanc made with chestnut paste and sponge cake will be served up to look like this popular dish. Paired with a dessert wine aged in oak barrels, the sweet will be served in a traditional lacquerware basket. In addition, the dish will be paired with Wasabi Pralines, Shichimi Meringue, and Ginger Pate de Fruits. 

Take a Rickshaw to the Kabuki-za Theater

Guests will be taken on an Edo-style tour on their way to the Kabuki-za Theater. Passing through the Nihonbashi area, the first stop will be the Fukutoku Shrine. It’s said that Hidetada Tokugawa paid a visit to and praised the shrine on New Year’s Day in 1614. The next shrine on the docket, Hodo Inari Jinja, was enshrined in Edo Castle during the Edo period to protect the heir to the Tokugawa family. It’s said that the shrine provides blessings for child rearing, matchmaking, and business prosperity. 

This tour will provide a more elegant way to explore Tokyo as guests enjoy exposition from their chauffeur. To make the rickshaw ride even more enjoyable, guests can rent kimonos for an extra charge.

Would you like to take a step back in time this New Year?

Crayon Shin-chan’s 30th Anniversary Exhibition will be held at Ikebukuro Sunshine City starting December 17, 2022. Humorously titled The Adventure in Ass Wonderland, the interactive exhibition will pay homage to the past three decades of the beloved anime series. In conjunction with the event, a key visual drawn especially for this exhibition has also been unveiled.

This special exhibition looking back on the 30th anniversary of the anime series and films will feature many hands-on Crayon Shin-chan projects based on the theme of Shinnosuke’s butt. More details will be announced soon, so stay tuned.

Advance tickets for the exhibition will be on sale starting November 17, 2022. The exhibition is also scheduled to travel to other venues in Japan beginning in 2023. See the official website for more information. 

©臼井儀人／双葉社・シンエイ・テレビ朝日・ADK

Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel will be offering a special room and collaboration menu inspired by the popular anime series The Vampire Dies in No Time from September 22 until November 30, 2022. Reservations will open on the hotel’s official website starting September 12 at 1:00 PM. 

The Vampire Dies in No Time follows the hilarious adventures of the vampire Draluc and the vampire hunter Ronaldo. Set in the city of Shin-Yokohama, it makes sense that this collaboration would be taking place!

Original Goods

Collaboration Menu

Guests and fans of the series will be able to enjoy a fully-decorated room and collaboration menu inspired by characters from the popular anime series.

The concept room, located on an upper floor overlooking the Shin-Yokohama cityscape, is decorated with illustrations of Draluc, Ronaldo, and other characters. The guest-only goods feature newly-drawn illustrations. 

Sweets plates and drinks will be served at the restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. Guests can enjoy desserts shaped like Ronaldo’s red hat and Draluc’s ashes, so don’t miss it!

©盆ノ木至（秋田書店）／製作委員会すぐ死ぬ

Art subscription service Casie is collaborating with HOTEL SHE, KYOTO! A special art exhibition titled GALLERY HOTEL SHE, will be held from September 17 until October 16, inviting guests to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of staying in a gallery overnight!

During the event period, guests of HOTEL SHE, KYOTO will be able to select their favorite piece of artwork from an on-site gallery. The piece will then be hung in their guestroom, and visitors can spend the night appreciating it at their own pace. This is a great way to learn more about art appreciation, and guests can enjoy discussing the art world with their friends and family. 

“Although we may view art in museums and other venues, it is rare to have the opportunity to select and display a work of art of our own choice,” the project description reads. “Through this unique experience, we aim to provide guests the chance to actively engage with art and inspire them to make art a part of their daily life going forward.”

PARCO will open a special shop inspired by Musée du Qouvre at its Ikebukuro location from August 19 until September 11, 2022. 

Suki Rabbit Dance

Suki Rabbit with Apple

Rabbit Eating Pizza

Naked Rat Lying Down

Suki Rabbit in a Cup

Portrait of a Cat’s Day

Portrait of a Sad Bear

Exclusive Goods

Musée du Qouvre Special Layered Acrylic Stand

Square Cushion

A5-size Clear Folder (8 varieties)

Capsule Toy Pin (6 varieties)

Stained Glass Pin

Glass Hair Tie (2 varieties)

Canvas Art (4 varieties)

Sticker Sheet

Eco Tote Bag (3 varieties)

Black Memo Pad

*Designs are subject to change.
*All prices include tax.
*The specifications of the goods are subject to change without notice.
*Some items will be sold randomly. Specific designs cannot be chosen.
*The above merchandise is only a selection. More will be available.
*Products are available in limited quantities.
*The number of items purchased may be limited.

The exhibition toured PARCO locations nationwide, and audiences loved the bizarre animal images created by Qrais. Now, the museum shop will feature a huge collection of goods inspired by the artist’s works.

At the venue, guests will be able to enter a raffle to win a painting by the artist himself!

To commemorate the release of Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, an exhibition will open at PARCO FACTORY in Ikebukuro on September 2 and at PARCO GALLERY in Nagoya on October 1!

Guests can see original drawings from the first and second seasons of the anime and the movie, special video content that mixes full-length anime footage with original drawings, and artifacts from the story.  Photo spots will also allow visitors to experience famous scenes from the series.

Those wanting to be guided through the exhibition can purchase the One Point Nanachi voice guide! The voice actress Shiori Izawa will lead you through key parts of the venue.

Original goods will also be on sale at the venue. A special collaboration menu will be available at Cafe Address on the 6th floor of Ikebukuro PARCO, including savory dishes, desserts, and drinks inspired by the show’s characters.

Additional information will be announced on the exhibition’s official website, so keep an eye out for more!

A collaboration cafe inspired by the anime series Aoashi is now open at AMOCAFE Ikebukuro! Characters from the Tokyo Esperion youth academy will appear in cafe-style costumes in new illustrations for the event. 

The menu offers a variety of unique dishes, from sandwiches and fried chicken to more traditional Japanese fare. Many of these food items appear in the series, so those familiar with the content should be extra excited. 

Hana’s Homemade Sandwich Bento: ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Featuring plenty of tasty and healthy ingredients, this high-protein and veggie-heavy dish is delectable.
*Available from August 9 until August 22

Sukiyaki Meal Set from the Players’ Dorm Cafeteria: ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Everyone loves this traditional flavor. Be careful with ordering this one before the big game–the rice will weigh you down!
*Available from August 9 until August 22

Sandy Beach Kinako Mochi: ¥990 (Tax Included)

This dish was inspired by the sandy beach where Ashito’s fateful encounter took place and where his training began.

*Available from August 9 until August 22

There are also plenty of other food and drinks available, so if you’re interested, please check out the official website.

A total of 12 mini character illustrations exclusive to the cafe will be available! The goods can only be purchased by guests who order from the collaboration menu. 

Enjoy the world of Aoashi at this collaborative cafe!

©小林有吾・小学館 ／「アオアシ」製作委員会

From August 3 until August 30, VTuber group NIJISANJI EN fans won’t want to miss two unique collaboration cafes coming to Ikebukuro and Nagoya! The cafes are being held at Animate Cafe and a number of themed dishes and goods will be available for purchase.

Menu

Pomu, Selen, and Reimu’s Favorite Things Plate

Ike, Shu, and Luca’s Favorite Things Plate

Pomu, Selen, and Reimu’s Favorite Sweets Set

HOW CAN I WORK PLEASE! Cake Set by seisoxiem

Big Powerful Pomu Energy Drink

Mango Cider That Won’t Make You Blackout

Miso Soup & Toast

fika time

Super Popular Taiyaki Drink

C&C (Cookies & Cream) Frozen Drink with Cheddar Cheese Flavored Thing

Goods

At the collaboration cafe, limited-edition goods featuring entirely new illustrations of the members will be on sale. Pomu Rainpuff, Selen Tatsuki, Reimu Endou, Ike Eveland, Shu Yamino, and Luca Kaneshiro are waiting for you!

©ANYCOLOR, Inc.

From July 22 until August 7, AMOCAFE Ikebukuro is holding a special collaboration cafe with the anime series The Devil is a Part-Timer!

A number of unique menu items inspired by the show’s characters are available, and new original goods featuring illustrations of the cast in beach house costumes are on sale.

Priority for admission is given to those with reservations, so make yours now!

Special Collaboration Menu

Serious Office Worker’s Dinner: ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

Emi is serious about her job, and her dinner is filling and simple.

The Devil’s Experiment (Honey Cucumber & Konnyaku): ¥990 (Tax Included)

Using the wits of the Demon King’s army, this tasty Konnyaku features a delicious melon and miso flavor. 

[AMOCAFE x Chiho] Special Omurice: ¥1,210 (Tax Included)

Of course, Chiho loves to draw a heart on her tasty Omurice. 

Urushihara’s Hard-earned Crystals / Daikokuya’s Shaved Ice: ¥880 (Tax Included)

This menu will make you excited to watch–or rewatch–the anime series!

Guests can expect even more themed menu items along with drinks and exclusive merchandise!

In addition, new illustrations of Mao and Chiho working at the beach house with Emi on surveillance are available from the AMOCAFE webshop. A number of products are on sale, including acrylic stands and water-resistant tapestries. Check the AMOCAFE Ikebukuro and AMOCAFE webshop Twitter accounts for more details soon!

©2021 和ヶ原聡司/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project

A limited-time pop-up shop for the manga series The Summer Hikaru Died will be held at TLC RECORDS at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro from October 8 until October 23, 2022.

Manga Synopsis

Yoshiki and Hikaru are two boys who live in a certain village. They’re the same age and have always been together growing up. But one day, Yoshiki noticed that “something else” has taken Hikaru’s place. Even after learning of this, Yoshiki still wants them to be together. And so, his life with the “something” that looks like his friend begins.

The first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died was released this year by Kadokawa and managed to sell over 200,000 copies in under three months. The series has also been nominated for the Next Manga Awards 2022.

Fans of mystery and boys’ love won’t want to miss out on this series. The pop-up shop will feature new merchandise including newly-drawn images by the manga’s creator Ren Mokumoku.

©モクモクれん/KADOKAWA

Dr. Stone THE STAGE ~SCIENCE WORLD~, the stage play adaptation of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi’s Dr. Stone sci-fi adventure manga, is being performed at Ikebukuro’s Sunshine Theater until July 18, 2022.

In the year 2019 AD, a mysterious flash suddenly petrifies nearly all human life. 3,700 years pass with the human race frozen in stone, until in April 5738, a 15-year-old prodigy named Senku Ishigami is suddenly revived. He soon sets up a basecamp and begins to study the petrified humans in order to determine the cause of the event, as well as a cure.

The Tokyo performance will take place until July 18. From July 21 until July 24, the stage play will be held at AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe in Hyogo.

Those unable to see the performance in person can stream the July 9 performance until July 16!

Comment from Tsubasa Kizu (Senku)

“My name is Tsubasa Kizu and I play Senku. 

Less than a month into our rehearsals, we’ve been powering our way through!

I’ll do my best to make sure that there are no injuries on set, and that myself and this wonderful cast and crew successfully complete this stage run. 

I really want to share how fun science can be with the audience, even if just a little bit. 

We’ll give it our all, so please continue supporting us until the very end!”

Ⓒ米スタジオ・Boichi／集英社・「Dr.STONE」THE STAGE製作委員会

From July 15 until August 1, Ikebukuro PARCO will hold a special exhibition featuring the adorable penguin character Koupen-chan!

The exhibition will show Koupen-chan among the stars. The character has become massively popular on social media, inspiring a collection of books and merchandise. 

[Admission Bonus] Foil-stamped Art Card

Message Corner

Koupen-chan Constallations

Unreleased Original Drawings

Koupen-chan’s Video Corner

Exclusive Ikebukuro Stamp

Purchase Bonus for Guests Spending ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Purchase Bonus for Guests Spending ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Purchase Bonus for Guests Spending ¥5,500 (Tax Included)

New Picture Book – Koupen-chan: Summer Friends

New Picture Book – Koupen-chan & You

Original Sticker with the Purchase of a Book

Exclusive Event Merchandise

Shooting Star Koupen-chan Stuffed Animal

Koupen-chan Moon & Star Stuffed Animal

When You Wish Upon a Star Art Reproduction

When You Wish Upon a Star Art Reproduction

The venue will be transformed into a starry sky-themed space and over 100 original drawings will be on display. These have never been posted on social media, so be sure to visit if you’re a fan! The exhibition will also include a photo spot and a video corner, and visitors to the Ikebukuro venue will get a unique stamp. New picture books will be on sale, including autographed copies, and those spending a certain amount on merchandise will receive a special purchase bonus.

Come spend some time surrounded by the encouraging Koupen-chan in this magnificent space!