HANABAR, a floral themed cafe and bar in Koenji, Tokyo, released two breathtaking new cream sodas on Friday which capture the sentimental feeling of summer transitioning to autumn. HANABAR opened in September 2017 as Japan's "first dried flower cafe." A sister store, gmgm, opened last year selling gorgeously gourmet doughnuts topped with dried flowers. Both stores as produced by Nana Yui, a dried flower artist.

Lavendel | ¥1,100

Coloured an eye-catching purple, this autumn-time cream soda is made with lavender, butterfly pea, and lime.

Aimatsurika | ¥1,100

A refreshing mix of jasmine, grapefruit, and lemon topped with sweet ice cream that has a citrus fruit aftertaste.   The flowers draped inside the ice are all elderflower which has high nutritional value.   Beat the Japanese heat this summer in Tokyo with one of these tantalising cream sodas.

Liquor Innovation released a new sparkling sudachishu Japanese sake called 'Awasu' over on the Japanese online sake store KURAND today. Available as made-to-order only, the sake will be shipped out to customers in Japan at the beginning of September. Awasu is a sparkling sudachishu—a type of liquor similar to umeshu—produced by Japanese model and brand director Rinko Murata. The beverage is made with lots of sudachi, a type of Japanese citrus, sourced from Tokushima Prefecture, which adds an extra layer of freshness to the sparkling factor as well as a sour kick. And it's not just the juice of the fruit that is used—the skin is too. Sudachi is an all-purpose ingredient that goes hand in hand with many dishes, whether it be traditional Japanese food, more modern food, or snacks, adding a refreshing taste to them. Awasu benefits from the amount of vitamin C of the sudachi which is said to be greater than that of a lemon. It also contains honey, which is known for helping to recover from fatigue, making it a great post-work drink.   The concept of Awasu is to be a companion during those times you want to feel indulged. Rinko Murata says that the drink is "A treat for working so hard in the day. It gives you some luxury time without any effort." Awasu is served in a can, so you can easily crack one open and enjoy with ease. The freshness of the sudachi together with the subtle sweetness of the honey will reset your fatigue after a long day.

gmgm released a new collection of "Cold Flower Doughnuts" on July 17 for the summer season which you need to scoop up to eat.

 

gmgm is a cosy cafe and doughnut shop in Koenji, Tokyo which serves beautiful doughnuts topped with edible flowers.

Scoopable "Cold Flower Doughnuts" - ¥450 (Before Tax)

Combined with refreshing summertime lemon jelly is a creamy panna cotta filled with lumps of fresh fruit. On the surface of the jelly is colourful and elegant seasonal edible flowers. The bottom layer is the super soft panna cotta which enjoys the richness of the fresh cream and the juiciness of the fruits.

From July 25 to August 28, four Afternoon Tea shops will be collaborating with the French picture book Gaspard and Lisa to celebrate the book's 20th anniversary. The collaboration will only be running at the following branches: AEON Lake Town kaze, Koshigaya, LaLaport Yokohama, Terrace Mall Shonan and Nagoya LACHIC.

Tomboy Lisa Katsu Curry Plate (Drink included): ￥1,491 (after tax)  

Lisa's Tomato Chicken Curry (Kids Drink included) : ￥1,005 (after tax) 

The Tomboy Lisa Katsu Curry Plate consists of a European-style curry with a crispy chicken cutlet and carrot marinade. There is also a sweet apple and honey tomato chicken curry which is limited to kids only.

Peach Peach Clown Parfait Straight Out of the Picture Book: ￥1,404 (after tax)

Lisa and Gaspard Strawberry/ Melon Sundae Sodas: ￥864 (after tax)

The menu also includes desserts and drinks from the picture book. For example, the peach peach clown parfait and two flavours of Lisa and Gaspard Sundae Soda. Make sure you order one of these drinks to go with one of the five delicious collaboration meals.    During the collaboration period, the tea shop will be decorated with a special Lisa and Gaspard theme. There will be photo spots and even a book corner with 20 Lisa and Gaspard books (limited to Nagoya LACHIC only).   This is the perfect place to enjoy a special summer meal with your family so please check it out!     ©2019 Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben / Hachette Livre

Akasaka Palace―a building that has welcomed emperors, presidents and prime ministers across the world into its architectural wonders. While it is mainly used for official purposes, did you know that it also offers a public viewing, one that doesn’t hinder on business affairs?   The palace is considered a national treasure of Japan. I paid a visit to this gorgeous edifice that looks just like a European-style palace. Photography is strictly forbidden when visiting, but I was able to receive special permission to cover the inner secrets of this exclusive wonder. Akasaka Palace is open throughout the year. There is a daytime reception that lets you enter without having to book a spot in advance (though you’ll have to book if you want to visit the Japanese Style Annex). Visitation is restricted when international state officials are present, so when planning your trip be sure to check the palace’s schedule on the official website. Visitation through the daytime reception begins at the West Gate. Originally built in 1909 as the Imperial Palace for the Crown Prince, the building is the only example of neo-Baroque architecture in Japan. It was built by Japanese imperial court architect Katayama Tōkuma. When planning the design for the building, he referenced various palaces across Europe which is why people liken it to Palace of Versailles in France.   Hagoromo no Ma – A reception hall for visitation welcomings The first room you come to on the public viewing is “Hagoromo no Ma.” It was originally called a ball room which is why it houses orchestra boxes. Aperitifs dance around the room for invitees who may be there for send-offs, dinner parties or even musical performances. Overhead is a gorgeous chandelier which is made up of almost 7,000 separate parts, most of which is crystal. It is the biggest chandelier in the entire palace. The inner part of the mezzanine floor, which looks like a balcony, is used as an orchestra box when the room is used for orchestral concerts. The intricate design of the chandelier includes masks inspired by a ball while the walls too are littered with relevant motifs such as instruments. The whole room is decorated in all things musical.   Asahi no Ma – The most high-class room of the palace The next room you step into is “Asahi no Ma” which is used for courtesy calls of officials and important people as well as summit meetings. It is the most high-class room in all of Akasaka Palace and is where the state guests say their goodbyes to the Emperor and Empress. The room began reconstruction two years ago and reopened in April this year. The room gets its name Asahi (“morning sun”) from the painting of Aurora, the Roman Goddess of dawn, that overlooks the room. It is said that in the Meiji Period, when the palace was built, people painted pictures of helmets to symbolize the army and boats to symbolize the navy as the country declared the political measure known as Fukoku kyōhei, which meant to “Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Armed Forces.”   Shoumen Genkan/Large Hall – Welcoming guests of honour The “Shoumen Genkan,” or front entrance is where international guests of honour are welcomed. When visiting during public opening hours you don’t enter from this entrance but you are allowed inside. The large hall, which is located up the stairs from the hall that continues through the entrance room, has a striking and vivid deep crimson carpet. Together with the eight towering marble pillars, this hall makes for an overwhelming viewing. The room directly opposite down the stairs is Asahi no Ma.   Sairan no Ma – Where treaties are signed The next most high-class room from Asahi no Ma is “Sairan no Ma” which is primarily used for signing ceremonies of treaties. When Asahi no Ma was undergoing renovations, this room was used for informal talks carried out by the emperor and prime minister with foreign rulers. The entire room takes on the Empire style which was popular during the rule of Napoleon I. Scattered throughout the room are gold leaf designs of armour, helmets, swords and so on.   Kacho no Ma – Dinner parties with guests of honour Kacho no Ma is used for dinner banquets with important official from countries around the world. The room has a more relaxed feeling from the others due to its interior wooden design. It’s also often used for press conferences so those who watch Japanese news may recognise it. The room, with its mellow deep wooden design, houses 30 oval cloisonné medallions, depicting four seasons' flowers and birds. The ceiling art, too, depicts images of birds and wildlife killed by hunting. It also has the heaviest chandelier in the palace inside which is a globular speaker.   Yushintei – Japanese-style hospitality in the Japanese Style Annex The Yushintei is located in the Japanese Style Annex on the west side of Akasaka Palace. It was built in 1974. Akasaka Palace carries out events and receptions in a western style but the Yushintei welcomes international guests of honour with Japanese-style hospitality. Those who wish to enter must book in advance. The booking comes with a tour. As you step through the entrance and into the inner garden through the passage, you will see moso bamboo. This area has a garden with shirakawa gravel and kibune stone from Kyoto. In the main Japanese-style room where guests are served Japanese food one can observe the pond from the window. You might recognise it as the place where Prime Minster Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump fed the fish. The tea room comes with chairs for foreign visitors who are unable to sit in the traditional Japanese seiza position. Tea is prepared on the upper step which is inspired by Noh theatre.   Afternoon tea in the extraordinary front garden 20 afternoon tea sets are prepared each day to be enjoyed in the front garden of Akasaka Palace. These cannot be reserved in advance so be sure to arrive early if you’d like to order one. As you enjoy your afternoon tea while gazing around you are filled with a gorgeous feeling you can’t experience anywhere else. The general public viewing offers a chance to see numerous parts of the palace. We asked Rinko Murata, who’s pictured in the photos on the viewing, for her thoughts.   “With the first step you take in a gorgeous space unfolds before you. Its grand design made me feel as if I had been summoned to the palace. It was like visiting a foreign country. When you look closely there are lots of decorations that symbolize Japan. It was a fresh experience where you can feel both the Japanese spirit and culture of another country. I feel moved that Japan has such a place as beautiful as this. You all need to visit too.”   There is no requirement to book this viewing in advance, but during busy times (20+ people) those who do book online prior to visiting will be prioritized. Foreign visitors won’t miss out on anything either as they can purchase a voice guide machine for ¥200. These guides come in Japanese, English, Chinese, French and Spanish. A visit to the Japanese Style Annex Yushintei however requires booking prior to your visit. When doing so you can choose between either a Japanese or English-speaking guide. In the case of a sudden official reception, all scheduled public viewings for that day are cancelled, so be sure to check the calendar on the official website before heading there.   Model:Rinko MurataWriter:Sayoko IshiPhotographer:Kayo SekiguchiTranslation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

The Mount Fuji Lava Cafe, located in the Fujisan World Heritage Center in Yamanashi Prefecture, released a new Red Mount Fuji Curry on January 12 inspired by the woodblock print Fine Wind, Clear Morning from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series of landscape prints.

Red Mount Fuji Curry: ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

This red hot lava curry gets its vibrant colour from its picante spices and red chili oil. But it's not simply a bowl of spiciness - it also has typical Japanese flavours like a dashi made from skipjack tuna and kombu. It's also mixed with grape juice made from grapes grown in Fuefuki, Yananashi for deeper flavour. Upon ordering this curry you can pick from three different levels of spiciness. Those who order the highest level, dubbed "Mount Fuji's Peak," are offer to take part in an eating challenge. If you're able to devour the hottest version of this curry within 22 minutes and 30 seconds the price of your bill will be wiped and you will receive a free ice cream. The Red Mount Fuji Curry serves as a follow up to the cafe's original Blue Mount Fuji Curry which erupted in popularity on Japanese social media.