As part of the ongoing Channel47 project, which uses the power of local resources and entertainment to share Japan and its local culture with the world, a new travel experience titled ‘DEEP EXPERIENCE THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-’ is now on sale, taking visitors to Iida, Nagano Prefecture.

Iida City in Nagano Prefecture will be the location for the tour, with the city selected by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2024 for its ‘Project to Promote Expansion and Quality of Inbound Tourism by Providing Special Experiences for Visitors.’ The Minami Shinshu Tourism Bureau helped to create the tour for inbound travelers to experience the “real” Japanese countryside found in the Tenryu Gorge area of Iida City by funding farmhouse homestays in the area.

By creating a travel experience that takes advantage of the local resources of Tenryu Gorge in Iida City, we aim to promote sustainable tourism activities by communicating the charm of the region to people in both Japan and abroad, revitalizing local production, passing on traditional culture, and strengthening cooperation between local communities.

Luxury hotel W Osaka will be offering ‘ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring,’ a special menu inspired by the fashion duo AMIAYA, from April 1 until May 31, 2022. The menu items will be available at the Living Room area on the hotel’s third floor.

W Osaka Fashion Ambassador AMIAYA

ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring

LIVING ROOM

The event will utilize some of the popular strawberry dishes currently popular at the hotel, but will also include some raspberries and orange sweets. Some dishes will be decorated with flower petals, inspired by the vivid fashion of W Osaka’s fashion ambassador AMIAYA. The twins have attracted worldwide attention as models and DJs, and they celebrated their first anniversary on March 16. 

Savory options include a Quiche with Sakura Shrimp and Spring Cabbage and Caramelized Onion and Chevre Cheese plate. Guests can enjoy a total of 12 items prepared by the W Osaka chef team, all displayed on a beautiful afternoon tea stand. Each menu comes with a welcome drink and free refills for tea and coffee.

AMIAYA, a twin fashion unit representing Tokyo and signed to ASOBISYSTEM, is diving into the Metaverse! MetaTokyo is teaming up with the models to create NFT photography, open a digital pop-up museum, and provide wearable items for fans’ avatars. The collaboration is an official installation for Metaverse Fashion Week held on the global metaverse platform Decentraland. The event began on March 24, 2022.

‘AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021ss’ takes center stage in this collaboration. The photobook was made with popular street snap magazine STREET with photos taken by editor-in-chief Shoichi Aoki. The two models are seen wearing the latest Tokyo fashion on the streets of Harajuku and other areas of Japan’s capital city. The company is intent on promoting local culture and fashion worldwide as part of the ‘Web 3.0 Era.’

SPACE, a pop-up museum built on land owned by MetaTokyo in Decentraland, is now highlighting the AMIAYA and STREET collaboration with an immersive photo exhibition. Fans can also snag AMIAYA-themed wearables for their avatars.

Photos from the AMIAYA x STREET collab are now available as NFTs on OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace. A total of 330 unique items will be available, so don’t miss out!

The book store BOOKMARC, owned by Marc Jacobs, will host a new photo exhibition featuring the fashion unit AMIAYA. The pink-haired twins have attracted worldwide attention as fashion icons representing Tokyo style. The event is being sponsored by the fashion magazine STREET, which has been disseminating street fashion since 1985. The event is running until March 30, 2022. 

AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021 Spring/Summer is a photo collection showing off the newest trends modeled by AMIAYA with the help of STREET Magazine.

AMIAYA have been active as a models since their teenage years, and these photographs taken by STREET editor-in-chief Shoichi Aoki prove that they have many successful years ahead of them.

Fashion icons show the modern and historical charm of Kanazawa, Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN (16 November, 2021) – Channel 47, a company focused on globally promoting the appeal of local and popular Japanese culture through the power of entertainment, is excited to debut their new “HAKKEN” video series today, 16 November, highlighting the wonderful modern and historical tourism aspects of Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture. “HAKKEN” is the Japanese word for discovery, which is the core feeling this new video series is aiming to convey. Channel 47 wants toinspire viewers to discover the wonders of Japan’s local culture through these shortfilms.

The debut videos feature fashion icons AMIAYA and ETSUNA (both represented by ASOBISYSTEM), each exploring a different facet of what Kanazawa has to offer curious visitors. These films were produced by Channel 47 as a part of promotional efforts for the Kanazawa Film Festival held in September of 2021. These entries in the “HAKKEN” series were informed by Channel 47’s shared philosophy with the Kanazawa Film Festival, to disseminate the culture of Japan’s countryside and promote its appeal worldwide.

In the first video, twin model & singer duo AMIAYA discover the “pop” elements of the city at locations such as the Omi-machi market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nagamachi Samurai District, and more. Along the way they sample delicacies from some of Kanazawa’s highly rated restaurants. Through their experiences viewers will see art, food, shopping, and scenery that has high appeal among visitors.

Watch “HAKKEN – Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9-gD-ftTE0

Find AMIAYA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/amiaya/

AMI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amixxamiaya/

AYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayaxxamiaya/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AMI__AYA

In the second video, fashion designer and influencer ETSUNA takes a different approach and wanders the traditional side of Kanazawa. Starting with a stroll in the Higashi Chaya District, her journey takes her to make ceramic art at Hokutoh, and to see historic locations such as the Ishikawa Bridge, the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, Sannomaru Square, and more. To fit the traditional theme of her visit, she visits Kimono & Antiques Soki and gets dressed for the occasion. Viewers will see through ETSUNA’s exploration the beauty and historical legacy of Kanazawa City.

Watch “HAKKEN – Experience Kanazawa’s History with ETSUNA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3h-57mhouU

Find ETSUNA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/etsuna/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsunaotsuka/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/etsuna_artist/

ABOUT KANAZAWA FILM FESTIVAL

The 15th Kanazawa Film Festival was held from September 18-20, 2021 in Theater 21 at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary art in Kanazawa. The festival has a reputation not only for the high quality of films presented each year, but also for its “New Directors with Promising Talent” program. This year 83 films were entered in the “New Directors with Promising Talent” program, and 11 of them won screening rights. The Grand Prix was awarded to MELIA’s “Experiential Tour”, for which she also received the special Channel 47 Award.

More information on the Kanazawa Film Festival can be found at

 https://www.eiganokai.com/event/filmfes2021/kanazawa/

ABOUT CHANNEL 47

Channel 47 is a project that using the power of entertainment to communicate the appeal of Japan and its different regions to overseas audiences. Through planning and producing events with celebrities and personalities, Channel 47 creates content that conveys the appeal and charm of Japan’s many different regions to viewers all over the world. Channel 47 created the post-movies for the 15th Kanazawa Film Festival, held in September 2021. Additional efforts to promote the event overseas include producing

English subtitles for “Alien Painter” which was screened as a Kanazawa Film Festival Scholarship Film.

For more information about Channel 47 please contact: info@channel47.jp

Beginning September 10, a new collection from women’s brand BETTY’S BLUE and jouetie will be available on RUNWAY channel, ZOZOTOWN, and a jouetie shops nationwide. Tokyo fashion icons and twins AMIAYA serve as creative directors for jouetie, and their style is sure to give these pieces some added flair.

Preorders for the collection are currently open on the ZOZOTOWN and RUNWAY channel websites.

BETTY’S BLUE Blouse M (White / Bordeaux / Beige): ¥8,800 each (Tax Included)

BETTY’S BLUE Patterned Dress M (Pink / Purple / Beige): ¥9,900 each (Tax Included)

BETTY’S BLUE Bag (Red / Pink / Purple): ¥3,300 each (Tax Included)

Launched in 1985, BETTY’S BLUE continues to be loved by fashionistas of all ages. With this limited-edition release, the brand is reviving its popular trend of releasing collaborative merchandise.

Under the concept “MIX GIRL,” the brand’s collaboration with jouetie aims to combine both rock and girly styles into one signature street fashion look. Utilizing BETTY’S BLUE’s pop coloring, the collection features three items in multiple colors: the blouse, the dress, and the bag.

The trendy blouse, complete with frilly collar and voluminous sleeves, is finished with BETTY’S BLUE’s signature checkered pattern. The long dress covered from top to bottom in a loud pattern, is sure to turn heads. Carry the matching tote bag, and you’ll be ready to stroll the streets of Tokyo looking funky this fall!

Tokyo fashion icons and twin unit AMIAYA have collaborated with street-snap magazine STREET on a new photobook! ‘AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021ss’ will go on sale August 23 at select bookstores and online.

AMIAYA began their fashion journey in street fashion when they were teenagers, and are currently attracting worldwide attention as icons representing Tokyo style. STREET magazine has been highlighting unique international streetwear since its first issue in 1985, and both parties are using this collaboration to help the fashion industry, which has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

The magazine features snapshots of AMIAYA wearing the hottest Tokyo fashions on the streets of Harajuku and other popular areas around Japan’s capital. The photos were taken by Shoichi Aoki, photographer and editor-in-chief of STREET.

Each photo has the power to open up your mind to a new world of fashion, so why not give it a look?

Comment from AMIAYA

“The Coronavirus pandemic has given us a new perspective on fashion, and how we can share it from Tokyo to the rest of the world. STREET magazine has so many readers overseas, and it’s truly made an effort to boost the Japanese fashion scene. We believe in the potential of fashion to connect Japan to the rest of the world, and we hope that through this collaboration, we share some positive energy through our style.”

Comment from the Editor-in-chief of STREET, Shoichi Aoki

“The pandemic has caused unprecedented damage to the entire fashion industry, and it has become more difficult to share Japanese fashion with the rest of the world. Fashion is not something unnecessary–it’s something important for Japan, and for humanity as a whole. AMIAYA are Japanese fashion icons that are recognized around the globe. They are somewhere between reality and the virtual world. By having them model on the streets of Tokyo, I wanted to create something to convey the current state of Japanese street fashion with international audiences. It took a year and a half of shooting while adjusting AMIAYA’s schedule, but it’s finally being published. Even if it seems like a small project, even the smallest activity can have a massive impact.”

From July 29 to August 11, over 320,000 people from around Japan voted for their favorite lesser-known local souvenir. Sponsored by Japanese e-commerce site Mercari, the contest highlighted 47 unique goods from around the country, one for each prefecture. The winners have been announced, and the White Rabbit of Inaba from Tottori Prefecture has won first place, receiving more than 60,000 votes.

A music video-style web commercial featuring the winning product is now being produced to support the shop and particular region of Tottori. The music will be performed by electro-pop group Frasco.

In Japan, the rabbit is known for bringing good fortune, and has been a beloved symbol since ancient times.  The white rabbit in particular, featured in the local Izumo myth ‘The White Rabbit of Inaba,’ plays a major role in connecting the characters Onamuchi-no-kami and Princess Yakami. In 1968, the famous confectionery ‘White Rabbit of Inaba’ was created in the hopes of bringing good luck to those visiting the area.

Much like how an indie music group has a small group of hardcore fans but may not be well-known outside of small circles, these indie souvenirs are popular with locals, but may not be known to those outside the community. On the official website, fans can see their favorite treats displayed on what looks like album covers as an homage to this fitting comparison.

On social media, there was incredible support for the project from all kinds of people: those who made the souvenirs in the first place, those who love their local area, and those who were seeing these treats for the first time and dying to try them.

Which of the 47 souvenirs would you be most happy to receive?

The Canadian semi-permanent tattoo brand Inkbox launched a special collaboration with the pink twin duo themselves AMIAYA, icons of Tokyo fashion.

AMIAYA are symbols of Tokyo pop culture and have garnered attention worldwide. Their influence spreads far and wide – not only are they models but DJs, creative directors at the apparel brand ‘jouetie,’ and more. Flowers are the theme of their Inkbox tattoo collaboration which they show off in a special shoot taken for the release.

The semi-permanent tattoos use stickers to plaster the tattoo on the skin. Everything from the tattoos to the packaging capture the vibe and aesthetic of AMIAYA.

Disney SWEETS COLLECTION by Tokyo Banana, a joint confectionery shop between GRAPESTONE and Tokyo Banana, released its new Mickey & Friends collection on Thursday.

Tokyo Banana Mickey & Friends Collection | ¥1,300 (Tax Included)

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto join hands in a heart-warming new collection of Tokyo Banana, a cream-filled sponge cake and the official souvenir sweet of Tokyo’s official souvenir sweet: Tokyo Banana.

Mickey & Friends arrive in all the colours of the rainbow

The colourful packaging features the Disney group of best friends including Mickey, who loves his friends, his girlfriend Minnie, the anger-prone Donald, stylish Daisy, silly Goofy, and trusty Pluto.

Six cute patterns decorate the sponge cakes

There are six super cute Mickey & Friends designs you could get in your Tokyo Banana, and each one is random. They are filled with chocolate banana-flavoured custard cream.

Collect all the postcards

All boxes of these treats come with two of eight possible postcard designs which you can use for sending to someone or even as room decoration.

 © Disney

The Pokémon Tokyo Banana confection series launched its first two products that it ever released at Yume Town, Yume City, LEC, and Yume Mart branches in the South-west most part of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu on May 14.

Pikachu Tokyo Banana (Banana Flavour) | Includes 2 | ¥292 (Tax Included)

Eevee Tokyo Banana (Caramel) | Includes 2 | ¥292 (Tax Included)

Heart-shaped tail ends

Six different packaging designs each for Pikachu and Eevee

Tokyo Banana are popular cream-filled cakes and are the official souvenir sweet of Tokyo. The Pokémon series turns these fluffy treats into cute confections for you to enjoy with your favourite Pokémon during snack time.

Pikachu was the first to enter the Pokémon Tokyo Banana series who was turned into a banana custard cream-filled sponge cake. The second was Eevee with the fluffy sponge a delicious caramel macchiato flavour and filled with sweet banana custard cream

The confections are both branded with adorable heart-shaped tails, and each comes with one of six possible packaging designs.

©2021 Pokémon. ©1995-2021 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。

Kyoto makeup brand Yojiya is now selling its own collection of snacks and drinks which it released via its website last week.

Yojiya Matcha Sandwich Cookies | ¥1,400 (Tax Included)

Yojiya Cafe Latte Chocolate Cookies | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

Yojiya Matcha Milk | ¥950 (Tax Included)

Yojiya’s snack line-up is made with the idea of being able to enjoy high-quality food products at home. Their collection includes crunchy matcha and cafe latte cookies along with matcha milk, the latter of which is made with famous Uji matcha from Uji, Kyoto. Perfect for a tea/coffee break or as a souvenir.