Fans of Japan and Japanese culture may know that Kobe’s food scene is not to be missed. A new restaurant, KANBE, is now open and tells the story of the city’s food culture. The grand opening was on November 30 in Sannomiya.  

The story begins with water, the source of Kobe’s food. The city’s famed fare like Kobe beef, Suma salmon, and seasonal vegetables  will take the stage through storytelling, projection mapping, and uniquely planed dishes. Ingredients are served to guests the same day that they are delivered to the restaurant, offering the freshest possible experience. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks made in Kobe, including Nada Gogou sake and Kobe wine. These are made using Nunobiki water from the Rokko mountain range, meaning that everything guests enjoy was truly made in Kobe.

At KANBE, visitors will chat with a storyteller who weaves the story of Kobe’s food into the experience. A chef himself, he is well-versed in cooking methods, food history, and nutrition. 

The 18-meter-long counter adds to the experience by displaying seasonal scenery, the water of Nunobiki, and the night view from Mt. Rokko. Nature sounds, like the murmuring of Nunobiki Falls and the chirping of birds, also echo through the restaurant in time with the projection mapping, creating an atmosphere that feels alive.

Why not come enjoy a new kind of dining experience?

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the globally popular Naruto anime series, NARUTO THE GALLERY will be held at AKIBA_SQUARE inside Akihabara UDX from December 10, 2022 until January 31, 2023. The gallery will feature collaborations with five animators. 

This will be the first Naruto exhibition held since 2015. The event will focus on the growth of the characters, the bonds they share with their friends, and the many fights that have taken place over the past two decades. 

Iconic scenes from the Naruto anime series will be on display in collaboration with five up-and-coming animators: Ai Niina, Kohei Kadowaki, que, Kosuke Sugimoto, and Kohta Morie. This will give fans the chance to see an unprecedented and unique view of the world of Naruto which can only be seen at the event. 

Admission Bonus: Gemaki-style Card

Goods

An original Gemaki-style Card featuring a newly-drawn visual will be handed out to those visiting the exhibition. 

The first lineup of exclusive event-only merchandise has been revealed and longtime fans of the series won’t want to miss adding some of these goods to their collection. 

Participating Artists / Episode

Ai Niina / Sasuke’s Ninja Way

Kohei Kadowaki / Naruto’s Path

que / The Land of Waves

Kosuke Sugimoto / Sasuke’s Vessel

Kohta Morie / Naruto and Kurama

©NARUTO THE GALLERY実行委員会

A new collaboration store is now open in Akihabara, bringing together the popular YouTuber Sana Natori and everyone’s favorite Sanrio characters. The shop will be open until October 19, and this second collaboration features Halloween-inspired goods.

This time around, seven new goods are available, with 21 designs available in total. The illustrations were drawn exclusively for the collaboration.

Goods at a Glance

Pin (3 varieties)

Acrylic Keychain (3 varieties)

Acrylic Card (7 varieties)

Acrylic Figure Plate (3 varieties)

Sana Natori x Kuromi

Sana Natori x Pompompurin

Sana Natori x Lloromannic

Sticker (Set of 3)

Clear Case

Long Sleeve T-shirt

Purchase Bonus – Postcard (2 varieties)

Sana Natori is a VTuber who has become popular with audiences of all ages. Her aim is to live a proper life online, and she’s known largely for her livestreams, gaming, and music.

Following the well-recieved first collaboration, these spooky designs are sure to be a hit this holiday season. Which goods are you after?

(C) Sana Natori (C) 2022 SANRIO CO.,LTD. APPROVAL NO. L634678

Gee! Store, a popular series of shops specializing in anime character goods, has announced a collaboration with the series Luminous Witches! From September 9 until September 19, Cure Maid Cafe in Akihabara will be serving up tasty treats inspired by characters from the series. 

Collaboration Menu

Exclusive Collaboration Character Cards (9 varieties)

Preorder Goods

The cafe will offer a number of snacks and drinks, including Eggplant Cheese Pasta, Aira & Eleonore’s Curry, and Moffy’s Parfait. A special drink will be available to order by posting with a special hashtag on social media, so be sure to check back for more information!

©2021 島田フミカネ・KADOKAWA／連盟空軍航空魔法音楽隊
©TABLIER MARKETING INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

To celebrate the second season of The Rising of the Shield Hero, a special pop-up store will open on August 19 inside GiGO Akihabara!

2L Chara Fine Mat (4 varieties): ￥1,980 (Tax Included)

Mini-Character Pin (6 varieties): ￥440 (Tax Included)

New items include character mats with newly-drawn illustrations and mini-character pins. 

During the event period, for every purchase of ￥3,000 or more (including tax), customers will receive a random postcard as a bonus. Be sure to grab yours before they’re gone!

A take-out collaboration cafe inspired by the anime series Uncle from Another World is now open at CURE MAID CAFE in Akihabara! The event is running until August 28, 2022.

Exclusive Collaboration Character Cards (6 varieties)

The take-out collaboration cafe features a lineup of collaboration drinks inspired by characters from the series. Special bonuses will be given to those who order from the collaboration menu, and photos from the series will be displayed at the eat-in space Entas Cure Terrace on the same floor.

Enjoy these otherwordly collab drinks that can only be found here!

（C）殆ど死んでいる・KADOKAWA刊／異世界おじさん製作委員会 （C）SEGA
（C）TABLIER MARKETING INC.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

On July 18, the upscale teppanyaki and yakiniku restaurant Honten Yamashina opened a new location in Ginza! The hybrid restaurant has taken over the entire top floor of GINZA PLACE, which is directly connected to Ginza Station. Overlooking the Ginza 4-chome intersection, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy some authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Honten Yamashina mainly uses fully-matured Omi beef, the highest grade available among Shiga Prefecture’s top-tier beef, from Okazaki Farm. The cows are allowed to fatten for a considerable amount of time and live stress-free lives for over 40 months. Less than 1% of all Wagyu cattle are shipped after 24 months of age, and this delectable meat is characterized by its sharp taste and fattiness. 

Luxurious Wagyu and Sea Urchin Sushi

Early Summer Plate to Enjoy with Seasonal Flowers

Selected Extra-thick Beef Tongue Steak Made with Refined Attention to Detail

Grilled Spiny Lobster Made on a Charcoal Grill

The Playful Yamashina Wagyu Slider

Melt-in-your-mouth Sweet Amala Tomato (Vegetable of the Day)

Hand-selected Omi Beef Steak

Truffle Omurice

Japanese-style Teppanyaki

Guests can enjoy authentic Japanese teppanyaki cuisine with a modern twist. While sitting at the contour, visitors will enjoy a live performance by Taku Osada, a teppanyaki chef with over 20 years of experience.  

The wide variety of meat can be enjoyed in a number of different ways, whether it be raw, grilled, stewed, or properly cooked. From tongue and rump to filet and sirloin, you won’t leave hungry. Visitors can also enjoy seafood and seasonal Japanese vegetables along with their meat, and the flowers and leaves that adorn each plate will change depending on the time of year.

In addition to rare teppanyaki dishes like skirt steak and 3cm-thick beef tongue, Honten Yamashina also offers some playful dishes such as sliders. As the temperature differs on different parts of the steel cooking plate, each item can be cooked to a temperature that maximizes its specific flavor. Honten Yamashina also has a massive cellar housin over 1,000 bottles of wine and hard-to-find spirits. 

Japanese-style Yakiniku

For those looking for a more private experience, guests can enjoy yakiniku in a completely separate room. Each private room has a grill that will cook meat to the perfect temperature, and only at Honten Yamashina can you enjoy fully-matured Omi beef. The signature cutlet sandwich is made with chateaubriand cooked at a low temperature and deep-fried in a thin batter, then served on crispy bread with a soft, fluffy interior.

Teppanyaki and yakiniku are typically thought of as meat-based dishes, but the restaurant can accommodate vegetarian guests if contacted in advance. 

When Japan opens up to tourism, will you be visiting this incredible restaurant in the heart of Tokyo?

Starting on June 17, romantic Taisho-style cafe Akihabara Nagomido began a special collaboration with the BL mystery game Hashihime of the Old Book Town. The special event will run through July 4, 2022. 

Collaboration Cafe Original Menu

Menu Order Bonus: Bookmark

Collab Goods

Acrylic Stand (6 varieties)

Clear Folder　

Collaboration Castella　

Pin Gacha (6 varieties, random)

Fortune Gacha (7 varieties, random)　

Goods Available to Order

Canvas Art (6 varieties)

Large Panel

Goods Purchase Privilege: Original Postcard

During the event, fans of the series can enjoy dishes, desserts, and drinks inspired by the game. Special collaboration merchandise will only be available here, and special prizes can be won by playing the on-site gacha! A bookmark will be given to guests who order any original collaboration food or drink items, and an original postcard will be given to those spending at least ¥3,000 on merchandise. Those visiting between June 29 and July 4 will receive a limited-edition postcard.

Come enjoy this unique atmosphere while surrounded by your favorite characters!

What is Hashihime of the Old Book Town?

The location? Jinbocho, Tokyo, during the rainy season, 1922.
A young writer named Tamamori moves to Tokyo with the hopes of getting into a prestigious university–but he fails the exams and is kicked out of his place.

In an amazing stroke of luck, Tamamori begins working at a bookstore with a mysterious owner who never shows his face. This stranger also lets him live there and pays for his necessities. Living at a bookstore with only a few customers leaves Tamamori tons of time to work on writing.

Suddenly, a series of suicides and mysterious deaths begin. Tamamori’s best friend dies–and no one knows why.

Tamamori notices that the same three rainy days are repeating over and over. Yes, he can time travel–but only three days into the past.
What is real and what is an illusion?
A pop-occult Taisho BL mystery is waiting for you. (From the game’s homepage)

CulZone, inside ACZ and operated by Ichigo Animation, has expanded and reopened! To commemorate, the Anime T-Shirt Festival will be running from June 17 until July 10. Dozens of shirts will be on sale featuring both new and old anime titles. 

Lineup

©Negi Haruba, Kodansha /The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ Production Team ®KODANSHA

©Koyoharu Gotouge / Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable

©2016 Natsume Akatsuki, Kurone Mishima / KADOKAWA / Konosuba Production Committee

©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

©Tappei Nagatsuki, KADOKAWA / Re: Zero Production Committee

©Sotsu / Sunrise

©1995 Masamune Shirow / Kodansha, Bandai Visual, MANGA ENTERTAINMENT

Character shirts and logo shirts will be available and every fan will find something perfect! Items will be changed regularly throughout the event, so be sure to stop by and find something perfect for your summer wardrobe.

Kanda Myojin Shrine dates back over 1,270 years, making it one of the most well-known religious sites in Tokyo. Dai Nippon Printing is now making it possible for interested visitors to experience the site from anywhere in the world, unveiling the Kanda Myojin CG Space this week. Developed with approval from the shrine, the virtual space faithfully reproduces the structure and design of the location using 3D laser measurement technology and CG techniques developed by DNP over many years. The space will be open online to all audiences.

A portion of the work from the Masayuki Kojo 10th Anniversary Exhibition currently behind held on-site at Kanda Myojin from June 4 until July 10 will also be available to view in the CG space. The space will also be linked to ‘Virtual Akihabara,’ developed by DNP in conjunction with the AKIBA Tourism Council. Using XR (Extended Reality), the company hopes to develop a wide variety of new communication styles.

The Kanda Myojin CG Space was created by using DNP’s laser measurement technology to recreate three-dimensional objects. By using high-definition photography and photogrammetry technology, images of objects are taken from many angles, creating a realistic 3DCG space to explore. The structure of the shrine, which was rebuilt in 1934 after being damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake, has been faithfully reproduced in every way.

In conjunction with events held at the Kanda Myojin Museum, the Kanda Myojin CG Space will make the history of Kanda Myojin and its collection of materials, including rare ukiyo-e prints, available online for anyone to access. Through these exhibits, people both in Japan and abroad can experience Edo culture through their web browsers!

Curious George is getting his first themed restaurant for a limited time! The Curious George Kitchen is scheduled to open at Tokyo Solamachi on March 17 and will feature an entirely original menu of George-themed dishes. Unique merchandise will also be available!

Food Menu (Selected Items)

‘Good Night?’ Curry Hamburger Steak & Omelette

‘Balance, Balance!’ Meat Sauce Pasta

‘Hundley!?’ Hot Dog

‘The Manager’s Recommendation!’ Burger & Pasta Plate

Dessert Menu (Selected Items)

‘The Wobbly Tower!’ 7 Plain & Chocolate Pancakes

‘Jiggle Wiggle!’ Caramel Almond Pudding Gnocchi

‘Let’s Paint!’ Sweet Crepe Plate

Take-out Menu

‘I love the Man in the Yellow Hat!’ Cannoli

‘Colorful!’ Fruit Panna Cotta

Drinks (Selected Items)

Art Collection Au Lait

Original Merchandise at a Glance

Visitor Bonus: Commemorative Coaster (Not for Sale)

The pancake tower is not only delicious but perfect for posting to social media! Those wanting to social distance can also order from the take-out menu to enjoy some tasty treats at home.

Curious George merchandise exclusive to the restaurant will be available, including kitchen goods. Some can actually be used while enjoying your meal at Tokyo Solamachi, so be sure to stop by!

Romantic Taisho-style cafe Akihabara Nagomido and Felissimo’s Nekobe, a company that loves all things to do with cats, are teaming up for a collaboration cafe! Open until March 20, guests will be greeted at the door by an original cat illustration by Arisa Shimoda, a popular illustrator for Nekobe. Enjoy a special photo spot and a collaboration coffee shop menu complete with cat-themed dishes. Exclusive merchandise will be on sale at the goods corner and online, and 1% of all proceeds will be donated to a charity finding forever homes for cats and dogs. 

Collaboration Menu

Swordfish Tuna Steak Cutlet

Catwalk Tiramisu

Hide and Seek with Fluffy Cream! Mini Cat Parfait

Flying Fish?! Kitty Soda

Cafe Latte with Cat Design

Yoshino-chan’s Anmitsu with Marshmallows

Akihabara Nagomido Limited-Edition Collaboration Merchandise

Chocolate Rusk

Sweets in Tin

Sugar Cats

Japanese-style Marshmallow

Yoshino-chan, a tortoiseshell cat wearing a lovely kimono against a backdrop of Taisho-era stained glass, was created by Arisa Shimoda, a well-known illustrator.

Which of these dishes would you order?