In much of the world, people sign their names when they need to make things official. In Japan, people carry stamps with their name called hanko. These can come in all kinds of neat designs, and now, Eric Carle’s beloved children’s book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ has inspired some new stamps via the MONOIY website. 

These illustrated stamps are perfect for celebrating huge milestones like a child’s graduation or the start of a new school year. Wouldn’t you love to have one of these back in your school days?

Hanko (in picture book packaging): ¥5,280 (Tax Included)

MONOIY, a company well-known for its detailed and numerous types of hanko, has added the adorable caterpillar character to both the sides of the stamp and to the stamp itself. These stamps show the story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,’ and the character’s journey to become a butterfly. There are five different stamp designs available and customers can choose the characters and typeface. 

Hanko Case: ¥2,780 (Tax Included) 

The boldly-colored case will keep the stamp safe and will add some joy and fun to any child’s backpack!

Of course, it’s customary to have your name on a hanko seal, but for children why not try adding phrases like ‘OK’ or ‘Good job?’ 

A cafe themed on Eric Carle’s internationally beloved children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cafe is set to open at Sunday Branch in Kichijoji PARCO in Tokyo on April 1, 2020 where it’s set to run for an entire year, ending on March 31, 2021. Today, we finally get a look at the cafe’s menu line-up.

The picture book has seen its fair share of themed cafes, with the first having taken place in Ginza back in 2018, which was so popular that customers had to book a month in advance to dine there. The cafe was always fully booked.

The franchise also collaborated with multiple branches of J.S. Pancakes from October 2018 to January 2019, and again at Cafe Cucina in Shibuya from March to April last year.

The concept for the new cafe opening in Tokyo’s Kichijouji district is “Fruit Parlour.” Look forward to munching your way through an assortment of fruit-filled sandwiches, pudding
à la mode, and moreーall of which are packed full of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s favourite fruits.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Fruit Curry (*Price TBA)

Very Hungry Plate (*Price TBA)

Meals on the menu are inspired by the fruits the caterpillar ate each dayーwhich have been recreated using rice! The fruit curry is made with lots of apple, mango, and tomato. It’s a pork curry that has a fruity flavour and a subtle sweetness. If you don’t like spicy curries, then this dish is the one for you.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Kid’s Plate (w/Drink) (*Price TBA)

The menu is also packed with food for kids, like this kid’s plate which comes with a chicken and broccoli tomato pasta, mini pancakes, and a side of fruit. There’s also baby food, like a thin rice porridge made with soft rice and vegetables.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Fruit Sandwich (*Price TBA)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Cheesecake (*Price TBA)

Of course, this tasty menu wouldn’t be complete without a long list of drinks and desserts. There’s the adorable fruit sandwich which recreates the caterpillar’s body, and a New York-style cheesecake topped with artistic cookies made with vegetables and spicesーand all with natural colourings.

This is just a small teaser of what’s to come at The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cafe in Kichijouji; they have promised there will be even more. Their website will go live on March 18, but you can follow them at their social media with the links below.

A cafe themed on Eric Carle’s internationally beloved children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cafe is set to open at Sunday Branch in Kichijoji PARCO in Tokyo on April 1, 2020 where it’s set to run for an entire year, ending on March 31, 2021.

The picture book has seen its fair share of themed cafes, with the first having taken place in Ginza back in 2018, which was so popular that customers had to book a month in advance to dine there. The cafe was always fully booked.

The franchise also collaborated with multiple branches of J.S. Pancakes from October 2018 to January 2019, and again at Cafe Cucina in Shibuya from March to April last year.

Now returning once again, the Kichijoji cafe is set to see a completely new menu.

“Fruit parlour” is the concept of this cafe, which will have a menu line-up centred on the caterpillar’s favourite fruits. The menu will change for each season, ensuring that the fruits themselves are in-season and therefore at their most delicious. It will bring to life the colourful and vivid world of Eric Carle right onto your plate.

The menu will also sell “art cookies” which will derive their colour from natural ingredients.

The cafe decorations will make for Instagram-worthy posts, the caterpillar himself will be ready to greet customers at tables in the form of plush toys. It will be like stepping into the world of the picture book and will absolutely be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

Sunday Brunch has teamed up with The Very Hungry Caterpillar before, as well as Shaun the Sheep, to open limited-time cafes that were hugely successful. Now the caterpillar is heading to Kichijoji. If you’re travelling to Tokyo between April this year and March this year, don’t miss out on a visit!

TM & © 2020 Eric Carle LLC.

The Leo Lionni cafe located at Sunday Brunch, MARRONNIER GATE GINZA 1 is remaining open for a longer period due to popular demand. The limited-time cafe will now be open until September 29. This cafe is themed around the world of Leo Lionni; a famous children’s picture book author whose illustrated stories include Swimmy and Frederick. Some of his works have even featured in school textbooks. After much anticipation, the cafe has released a brand new menu.

The renewed menu includes three new items which are based on Frederick; the story which has been praised as Lionni’s best and most popular by both children and adults. A new Frederick-themed meal, cake and drink will be made available from July 20. When you order the Frederick-themed meal, the world of Frederick will unfold before you as if it has been cut straight out of the book and served up on a plate. There is no doubt that you will find these dishes so cute that you will not want to eat them.

Frederick’s Sunny Soup and Rice: ￥1,480

This is a corn, pumpkin and minced chicken dish served with a cold soup and brown rice. This depicts the image of Frederick collecting the sun as he does in the story. The rice is served hot.

“I know it” Cheesecake: ￥1,250 (price with drink set)

This is a baked cheesecake made using rhubarb and summer berries sourced from Hotaru Noen Tatsuno Farm, Nagano. This delicious cheesecake depicts the scene right at the end of the story where the mice praise Frederick saying: “but Frederick! You are a poet,” to which Frederick replies: “I know it”.

Frederick Cheese Tea: ￥900 

This is a pineapple iced tea with cream cheese and a Frederick biscuit perched on the top. The pineapple flavour is sweet yet slightly sour. This is bound to leave you feeling refreshed, making it the perfect summer drink. 

From July 13 to September 29, 2019, there will be a special discount campaign running at the Minna no Leo Lionni Ten; an exhibition dedicated to Lio Lionni which is currently running at the Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art. Please consider stopping by. 

Copyright © 2019 by Blueandyellow, LLC　Licensed by Cosmo Merchandising

Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki is collaborating with the world’s favourite childish penguin Pingu. This summer, Pingu will feature in the special event: Penguin-tachi no fushigina sekai Pingu summer festival (Pingu summer festival: Enter the curious world of penguins). The event will run from July 13 to September 1.

Located just a 1.5 hour bus/train ride away, Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki is in easy reach from Tokyo. It takes just 1 hour 15 minutes to reach by car. 

Pingu Photo Spots

Enter the aquarium and you will find numerous Pingu-themed photo spots. Take a photo next to statues of Pingu and friends, or with an original design photo panel. This is the perfect place to create lots of good summer memories with your family or friends and take lots of fun pictures.

Chat with Pingu

You can also enjoy a fun conversation with Pingu by watching fun videos. Come play with the characters and enjoy their cute animations and unique voices. This venue is full of unique and fun experiences.

Uchiwa Fan Stamp Rally (Weekday-limited)

Explore the aquarium to locate the three stamp spots. There is a Pingu, Pinga and Robby stamp spot where you can collect your stamps to complete the picture on your uchiwa fan. Completing the picture on your fan will be as fun as completing a colouring book!

Running: Weekdays (Not running between August 13 ー 16)

※ This event will finish early if all Uchiwa fans are given away before the end of the event. 

Pingu Greeting

Pingu will visit the aquarium himself, so enjoy interacting with him!

Running: July 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28, August 3, 4 (8 days total).

Times: 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, (lasts approx. 30 mins).

Besides the above, there is so much Pingu-tastic fun to be had. Come create some special summer memories with Pingu at Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki 

© 2019 The Pygos Group / (C)MATTEL, NHK, NEP, PPI

Looking for a fun day out with kids in Japan? LEGOLAND Japan is the perfect family day outing destination. At 1pm on July 1, the park celebrated the grand opening of the brand new area LEGO NINJAGO World. This is the first time this park has ever been expanded since opening in April 2017.

The opening ceremony featured special guests, including pop singer and actress Miki Shoji and approximately 70 students from Nagoya Shiritsu Inaei Elementary School. Miki Shoji, who also enjoys a trip to LEGOLAND from time to time, made the following comment at the ceremony:

“Whether you are a child or adult, the new LEGO NINJAGO World has many attractions such as the Flying NINJAGO that everyone can enjoy. This is the perfect place to have fun with your family this summer!”

There were many other special events held on the day of the grand opening, such as a countdown. At one point, Miki Shoji and the children even took part in a shuriken-throwing event with seven NINJAGO characters. What a spectacular day it was! After the ceremony had finished, some of the students who were selected as representatives of their school were given the opportunity to be the first to ride the Flying NINJAGO. 

LEGO NINJAGO World is the eighth area of LEGOLAND Japan and is a popular area in all Legolands across the world. From the moment the children step into the NINJAGO area, they will be immersed in an entirely new world. From the surroundings to the attractions and Ninja activities, they will learn a variety of essential ninja skills.

Whether you are a child or an adult, LEGOLAND Japan invites you to enjoy a ninja experience. ♪

During the summer holiday period between July and September, Aquamarine Fukushima is holding a range of events and supporting children to learn about marine life independently. Come join in the festival fun with goldfish scooping games, quoits, and much more. There will also be a fair from August 11 to 15. 

Aquamarine Fukushima Rare Creatures Picture Book <Complete the pictures!>

Dates: July 13 ー September 1

Aquamarine Fukushima is displaying rare creatures and ecological systems. The children can write the name of the new creatures they discover in their own picture book. Once they have completed the picture book, it will be an original record of discoveries. As the children record the features of the animals and other organisms they discover, adults will also find this information beneficial when looking around the exhibitions. 

How to take part: Pick up an application form at the entranceway on floor 1 of the aquarium main building (Honkan). The answers will all be distributed in one place. (Subject to change).

Summer Aquamarine Fukushima: Children’s Answer Room

Open: July 20 ー September 1 

Here, all the answers to the children’s puzzles about Aquamarine life are presented in panels and explained in easy terms. Along with the picture book where the children can record interesting life forms, this is the perfect way to support independent exploration. 

Goldfish scooping and Fun Fair

You can purchase goldfish that were bred at the aquarium, or catch them yourself at the goldfish scooping area. There is also a games corner where you and your children can enjoy a range of fun activities such as quoits. 

The goldfish building, which just opened last year, will be bringing back its 60cm-large Goldfish Nebuta lantern. To raise spirits during Japan’s O-bon lantern festival, the aquarium will be open for much longer so that a lantern event can be held in the evening. 

Iwaki Traditional Vegetable Marché

Open: August 17 ー 18 (11:00 ー 14:00)

Head to the Aquamarine Aguri located outside Aquamarine Fukushima to purchase everyday vegetables as well as Japanese vegetables that have been grown through the cooperation of Iwaki farmers and Iwaki city. The traditional Iwaki marché sells mainly traditional summer vegetables such as okuimo potatoes, yardlong beans, beefsteak plants, kojiroi cucumbers, and much more. From local vegetables to healthy goods, everything is produced at Aquamarine Fukushima. 

Iwaki Fireworks Festival 

Enjoy the sight of fireworks soaring through the sky before your very eyes from the Aquarium grounds. This large-scale fireworks event will run until 9 pm on August 3.

Running: August 11 ー 15 (8pm) . 

※ Last entries: Up to 1hr before closing time. 

Come visit Aquamarine Fukushima for a perfect fun-filled day with the family!

Cafe Cucina & Company in Shibuya, Tokyo is collaborating with Eric Carle’s internationally-beloved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar for two weeks from March 20 to April 3 to serve up a themed menu inspired by the colourful world.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s picture book designed, written and illustrated by American author Eric Carle. It was first published in 1969 and has gone on to be translated in over 60 languages worldwide with over 48 million copies sold.

Six items will decorate the menu from hearty dishes to fruity drinks.

The Chubby Caterpillar’s Hungry Meat: ¥1,980 (Tax Included)　*20 served per day

This dish makes use of Cafe Cucina’s popular thick pancakes to form the caterpillar. He comes with a serving of sausages, bacon and onsen tamago egg. Very hungry is what you won’t be after you finish this!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Sweet French Pancake: ¥1,660 (Tax Included)　*20 served per day

A warm and creamy pancake made with a cinnamon flavoured anglaise sauce and decorated with assorted fruits.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Munching Melon Parfait: ¥1,980 (Tax Included)　*20 served per day

A parfait simply packed with generous amounts of Andes melon.

An Encounter With An Apple♪ The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Hot Latte: ¥850 (Tax Included)　*Served hot only

Inspired by the apple the caterpillar first eats in the story, this apple pie flavoured cafe latte is sprinkled with lots of cocoa powder made to look like soil. It looks just like a page out of the picture book.

Caterpillar Melon Cream Soda: ¥900 (Tax Included)　*Iced only

The caterpillar eats a lot of different fruits in the story, one of which is watermelon. This watermelon soda recreates that scene with is eye-catching red and green colour combinations.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Toffee Apple: ¥540 (Tax Included)　*Only 100 available (sales will cease once all are sold)

Another delicious delight based on the book, this toffee apple has the caterpillar crawling out of a hole he has chewed his way through.

Those who dine at the cafe and order from the collaborative menu will receive a free mini mirror. These are available in limited quantities, so you’ll want to pay a visit quick to ensure you get your hands on one.

Enter the colourful world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar this spring.

J.S. PANCAKE CAFE, which is owned by the apparel brand JOURNAL STANDARD, is currently collaborating with the internationally beloved children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

The collaboration is running for four months. It began in October and will end in January next year. Each month they serve sweet pancakes that depict the tale of the caterpillar in the story as he grows. The new menu for December features food with an autumn twist and elements perfect for the holiday season.

Fat Caterpillar & Chrysalis Mont Blanc Pancake: ¥1,500 (Dec 1 – Dec 19)

The mont blanc pancake features the fat caterpillar and its chrysalis. It’s made with chestnut cream, chocolate, cocoa powder and soy flour, bringing to life the colourful and vivid world of Eric Carle. It’s finished with a pumpkin purin for those autumn vibes.

Fruit & Berry Butterfly Pancake: ¥1,600 (Dec 20 – Jan 31 / *Except Jan 1-3)

The hungry caterpillar finally became a butterfly with this pancake. The pancake batter is made with beets and spinach and plated with 5 different fruits.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pancake: ¥2,300 (Dec 1 – Jan 31 / *Except Jan 1-3)

This second version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pancake is served with cheese fondue. The caterpillar itself is made from spinach pancakes and surrounded by colourful vegetables.

Also coming to the cafes next month is a line-up of original merchandise including caterpillar and butterfly smartphone rings.

If you’re in Japan during the holiday season be sure to hit up J.S. PANCAKE CAFE for the next addition to The Very Hunger Caterpillar’s pancake tale!

Japanese pancake shop J.S. PANCAKE CAFE is set to collaborate with the internationally beloved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle at 12 of its J.S.PANCAKE CAFE branches and 1 of its J.S. FOODIES branches from October 3, 2018.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children’s picture book designed, written and illustrated by American author Eric Carle. It was first published in 1969 and has gone on to be translated in over 60 languages worldwide with over 44 million copies sold. Carle is lauded for his skill with colour, and his vivid imagination will be faithfully brought to life in the pancakes served at the cafés.

The cafés will run for four months from October to January next year during which they will serve sweet pancakes that will depict the growth and tale of the caterpillar. During the first month, October, they will serve French toast style pancakes that represents the sun on the morning that the caterpillar was born. Under the gleaming smile of the sun sits a bed of colourful fruits, all of which serves as the beginning scene to the caterpillars growth.

In November, customers can look forward to fried apple pancakes which represent the caterpillar growing as he eats more fruits. It recreates the scene of him crawling out of the apple. The dish is also mixed with autumn-time ingredients like nuts and figs.

There’s also a dish called “Harapeko Aomushi Plate” you can order that features the impressive food seen in the story, all served on one plate with spinach pancakes.

As well as all of this there’s also a selection of parfaits and drinks that represent the colourful world of the story.

Also, at the flagship shop in Nakano Central Park, the café will completely take on the world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar with designs and decorations. And to celebrate this collaboration, the first 10 people to post #はらぺこあおむしパンケーキ on Instagram on each day from October 3 to 5 will get half price off the “Harapeko Aomushi Plate”  at each café.

Finally, 10 people who eat any of the pancakes will also be selected randomly to receive a limited edition box with merchandise included. This is happening every month for the duration of the event.

Explore the wonderful and vivid world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

The café named, HARAPEKO AOMUSHI (THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR) CAFE representing the world of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR announced that they will release new menu items. The items will be available from the 21^st of May (Mon.).

The café is opened in Ginza for a limited time offer. The size of the café is small (only 40 seats). However, the café is gathering much attention with 1,000 customers visited, within a week since opening. TV programs have reported about the café’s high-quality menu items and its growing popularity.

The well-made interior of the café representing the world of the picture book and the menu items created under the theme of “offering exciting and fun foods” are gaining huge popularity.

Ringo wo Hitotsu Tabemashita (I ate an apple)

Price: 1,580 yen

Futoccho Aomushi no Cheese Cake (Fat caterpillar’s Cheese Cake)

Price: 1,200 yen

Otsukisama no Jelly Tea (Moon jelly tea)

Price: 800 yen

Ohisama no Jelly Tea (Sun jelly tea)

Price: 800 yen

Mizutama to Choucho no Lemon Cheese (Polka-dot and butterfly lemon cheese)

Price: 1,180 yen

The new menu items have a fresh look, matching the start of summer. I am sure that you will break out in a smile after seeing these precisely-made, cute new menu items.

Why not visit the renewed HARAPEKO AOMUSHI CAFÉ!

The character cafe is a unique experience in Japan where a cafe collaborates with a well-known character from an anime series, games and so on and themes the decor and menu on that character. Here are some of the collaborative cafes open in May this year.

Click here for part two:https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/106411

“Care Bear™ Cafe” – Harajuku Box Cafe & Space

The popular Care Bear™ characters are getting their first ever collaborative cafe which will open at Harajuku Box Cafe & Space on May 20. Expect to see a photogenic and themed menu as well as plenty of perfect places to snap photos. There’ll also be an opportunity to take a picture with Care Bear™ plush toys♡ Look forward to getting your paws on the cute limited edition merchandise too available only at this cafe.

Rilakkuma×Seibu Ikebukuro

The ‘Rilakkuma Town Cafe’ has opened as part of Rilakkuma’s 15th anniversary exhibition ‘Welcome to Rilakkuma Town’ and will be open for a limited time only. There’s lots of menu items you’ll want to take pictures of, as well as limited edition merchandise. The interior decor is decorated in kawaii Rilakkuma illustrations drawn specially for the cafe, as is the merchandise.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/101347

Neko no Gohanya-san×Cute Cube Harajuku

On the third floor of Cube Cube Harajuku is Kawaiiya which isn’t collaborating with a character, but with a hugely popular capsule toy series by the name of Neko no Kaburi Mono, which translates to ‘cats with things on their heads.’ There is even a photo exhibition with super cute pictures of cats in hats taken by cat photographer Sakura Ishihara. There isn’t any actual cats at the event, so even those who are allergic can enjoy the event.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/99802

Sailor Moon×My Melody Candy Parlour

This character cafe is open in Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo and Nagoya for a limited period. Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon and Sanrio’s popular character My Melody have come together to inspire an array of food, sweets and drinks you can only get at this cafe.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/90049

The Very Hungry Caterpillar×MARRONNIER GATE GINZA

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of the most popular children’s picture books in the world, and it’s been turned into a cafe in Ginza. The colourful and vivid mind of illustrator and children’s book writer Eric Carle has been brought to life through food. The items on the menu excite the fun aspect of eating. Expect to tuck into everybody’s favourite French toast, omurice, hamburgers, pasta and more, all themed on the wonderful world of the world’s beloved caterpillar.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/84934

There are so many collab cafes open this month, so if you’re in Japan right now, then why not take a trip with a friend?

Click here for part two:https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/106411