Japan is a haven for bubble tea and tapioca-based beverages. Here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON we have covered many stores selling these tasty drinks in Harajuku―the town which started the tapioca boom in Japan―but today we will be heading southwest of Tokyo to Aichi Prefecture, located in central Honshu Island, to look at 4 must-drink tapioca drinks.
We are joined by meme whose Instagram page is packed full of drinks and desserts from cafes across Japan.
The Flower Table in Sakae
Located inside the MITSUKOSHI shopping complex in Nagoya’s retail and entertainment district Sakae is The Flower Table. I absolutely recommend this store for those who aren’t good with sweet drinks as you can choose between having sugar or no sugar.
Your taste buds are hit by the flavour of the milk tea on the first sip which has a bite to it. The tea leaves used by the shop in this drink are from Kusumi Tea, a Paris-based premium tea brand.
If you’re someone who likes chai then this taste is sure to tempt your palate. Not only does the milk tea taste exquisite, the tapioca pearls are sweet and satisfyingly chewy too. And let’s not forget to mention their adorable takeout cup designs!
▼The Flower Table
Address: MITSUKOSHI Nagoya Sakae Store Floor 3F, 3-5-1 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00-19:30 (Food Last Orders 19:30)
*Food not served until 11am, only drinks between 10-11am
*Afternoon tea sets, parfaits and other teatime menu options served from 2pm
Official Website: https://theflowertable.owst.jp/en/
BON CAFÉ in Sakae
BON CAFÉ can also be found in Sakae. I had heard lots of praise about this place before my first visit so I was eager to get in there. I ordered two drinks: the mango cream cheese tea (with cream and tapioca pearls) and the brown sugar milk tea (with tapioca pearls). It’s hard to tell by the photos but both drinks are packed with tapioca pearls aplenty.
I’d heard before that the mango cream cheese tea was like a “dessert that you can drink,” and I can confirm that it’s true. It’s topped with fresh cream and pearls so it’s just as satisfying as a mango parfait.
▼BON CAFÉ
Address: Apa Hotel Nagoya Nishiki Floor 2F, Nishiki 3-15-30, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 (Last Orders 22:00)
No Fixed Holidays
Official Website: https://bon-cafe.jp/tapioca/
Peripatos in Kita-Okazaki
Drinks at Peripatos are takeout-only. Their bottle designs are cute and simple with just a kitty illustration on them. The three drinks in the photo are Very Berry, Tropical, and Hazelnut & Caramel Sauce with coffee jelly.
The tropical drink has pieces of fresh mango in it while the Very Berry has fresh strawberry and chewy strawberry flavoured tapioca pearls in it. My friend ordered the Hazelnut & Caramel one which has coffee flavoured jelly in it instead of tapioca pearls. You sip it while crushing the jelly.
The shop interior is really cute too!
▼Peripatos
Address: 4-4 Ida Nishimachi, Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture
Opening Hours: [Mon-Tues & Fri-Sat] 11:00-21:30 / [Thurs & Sun] 11:00-18:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/c.peripatos/
Watashi to Cafe in Kariya
At Watashi to Cafe I ordered the strawberry milk tapioca drink. The pearls in this drink are strawberry flavoured too, and there’s a lot of them making is super tasty. The glasses they come in are cute too.
They also sell beautiful herbarium-like drinks. These don’t have tapioca pearls in them but I recommend these too!
▼Watashi to Cafe
Address: 2-20 Minamisakuramachi, Kariya, Aichi Prefecture
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00 / Dinner 15:00-Midnight
Closed: Tuesdays
Official Website: https://watashitocafe.gorp.jp/
Did you enjoy this list? meme has lots of other tempting recommendations of drinks and desserts on their Instagram page too, so if you’re looking for something to try while in the Tokai region of Japan be sure to give them a follow.
Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Japanese peaches, which are particularly juicy and sweet around this time. Peaches go well with red bean paste, cream and a variety of other flavours, which is why you will be seeing a lot of peachy desserts this summer. You just have to try them! Today, Instagrammer meme, who is a big fan of cute and stylish cafés, will be introducing you to peach parfaits that you absolutely must try in Aichi prefecture. BLUE STAR CAFE（ブルースターカフェ）／Nagakute
BLUE STAR CAFE has started selling a peach parfait. The peaches are so sweet and juicy that I was moved to tears. The parfait is made up of fresh cream, vanilla ice cream, peach sherbet and frozen peach. It is simple, delicious and very satisfying. ▼BLUE STAR CAFEAddress: 504 Tsukada, Nagakute, AichiTEL：0561 42 6878Official Website: https://bluestar-cafe.com/ Halleloo Garden（ハレルゥ ガーデン） I was just waiting and waiting for Halleloo Garden to release their peach parfait and I was far from disappointed. Just looking at the pretty pink peaches is enough to get your mouth watering. When you cut into the peach, it will explode with colourful popping boba. What a fun parfait.♡ The parfait is made up of a variety of fruits including melon, blueberries, grapefruit and apple. It also contains vanilla ice cream, custard, fresh cream, and dried fruit too. Be aware that the contents of this parfait will change according to the season. This peach parfait also comes with peach-flavoured black tea with boba. Add this to your parfait and notice the change in flavour as your parfait becomes a milk bubble tea! This was my first experience of popping boba. It was such a fun experience to bite into the boba and feel them explode, flooding my tastebuds with a delicious juicy flavour. Whether Halleloo Garden can serve this parfait seems to be dependent on whether they can receive peaches from their supplier, so I recommend phoning up the café before you turn up to if you want to try this. ▼Halleloo GardenAddress: Kami-222-1 Miyoshicho, Miyoshi, AichiTEL: 0561 56 1080Official Website: http://www.halleloo.jp/ merry café（メリーカフェ）／Toyoake merry café serves a beautiful peach parfait that looks just like a bouquet of flowers. The simple peach compote allows you to enjoy the natural deliciousness of the peaches. During this season, finding peaches that are highly sweet can be a bit of a hit or miss, however there is no doubt that they will be sweet when made into a compote. It was a delicious peach parfait. ♡ ▼merry caféAddress: 7-18 Komochimatsu Shindencho, Toyoake,TEL：0562-91-3230Opening Hours: 11:00 ー 15:00, 17:30 ー 22:00Official Facebook Page: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/merrycafe1218/ All these pink peach treats look so beautiful. This peachy season is the perfect time to wrap yourself in the wonderful fragrance of sweet peach. Please check out meme's Instagram which is full of information on cute cafés you can visit for delicious desserts. Author/ Photographer: meme -
Aichi Prefecture is located in the centre of Japan's Honshu island. It is home to countless shops, astounding castles, and many sightseeing spots. Mother nature is a huge part of Aichi's beauty where she has provided plenty of places for enjoying the outdoors. Instagrammer NAMIKO, who travels all over Japan to visit tourist and sightseeing spots, is here today to showcase three unmissable places to visit when travelling to Aichi using photos she has posted.
Aichi Farm (Aichi Bokujo)
Running just a 10-minute stroll from Kurozasa Station is Aichi Farm which is home to various farm animals, a place where you can enjoy BBQ food, and more, making it a very popular spot for friends and families looking for a day out. But the absolute must-see part of your trip here during summer are the sunflower beds which bloom from early July right up to early September. The best times to see them in full bloom are posted on the farm's official website so be sure to check before packing your outdoor gear and heading out. ▼Aichi Farm (Aichi Bokujo) Address: Minamiyama-977 Komenokichō, Nisshin, Aichi Opening Hours: Dependent on the season, check the official website for details No Fixed Holidays (Except New Year's and Tuesdays when the horse riding club is running) Official Website: http://www.aiboku.com/ Noma Lighthouse
Nomazaki Lighthouse, or Noma Lighthouse for short, can be found along the coast of a town called Mihama in Chita District. This town bears many sightseeing spots including the aquarium and art museum. The lighthouse can be reached by riding the Meitetsu Chita New Line to Noma Station. You then change onto the Mini Seibu Bus and get off at Noma Lighthouse (野間灯台). It is the oldest lighthouse in all of Aichi Prefecture and is popular for its "kawaii" appearance. Wanderlust travellers will love basking in the radiant summer sun by the sea and sandy beach when they go to visit Noma Lighthouse. ▼Noma Lighthouse Address: Iwanari-20-1 Onoura, Mihama, Chita District, Aichi No Fixed Holidays Official Website: https://www.aichi-now.jp/spots/detail/115/ Himakajima
Himakajima is an island in Mikawa Bay which can be reached in just an hour from Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture. Not only do you have sunny beaches, there's also a temple, a park for children to play in, the island's famous giant swing, and lots of other fun places to explore. It's also known for its octopus and blowfish catches which can be eaten there. There are plenty of spots for taking great photos too. Since it's an island located off the coast, any photo you take will look picturesque. ▼Himakajima Official Website: https://www.himaka.net/ If you're seeking out even more travel recommendations and sightseeing spots around Japan for your bucket list then we highly encourage you to follow NAMIKO on Instagram. Photos: NAMIKO -
A new escape game themed on Rurouni Kenshin has been created by SCRAP and is to slash its way into Museum Meiji-Mura on September 11. The museum has stood for over 60 years, focusing on the Meiji period of Japan. Rorouni Kenshi is a hit manga series loved the world over with over 70 million copies sold. The latest arc of the manga, Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc, is serialised in Jump Comics SQ and is being published in English by Viz Media.
In the first ever escape game based on the series, you will become a practioner of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū and join Kenshin in facing enemies. To accomplish your objective, you will need to speak to various people in the game, as well as learn sword techniques from a certain character in the series. It taking place in the Museum Meiji-Mura means you will be fully immersed in the story―like you have slipped back in time―as the series itself is set during the Meiji period. Help Kenshin defend Tokyo by participating in this new exciting escape game. ©Nobuhiro Watsuki / Shueisha ©SCRAP Information
Rurouni Kenshin Escape Game at Museum Meiji-Mura
Location: Museum Meiji-Mura (1 Uchiyama, Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture)
Running: September 11, 2019 – December 15, 2019
Tickets
Price: ¥2,200 (comes with kit to play the game) *does not include entry fee to the museum
Available: At the reception desk for events at the museum
Game
・Time Restriction: None (allot yoruself 2-3 hours to play)
・No. of Participants: Unlimited (you can play on your own or with a group)
・Once the game starts, you are free to walk around the museum to complete the game
・Though there is no time restriction the game will end at the museum’s closing hours
Official Website: https://realdgame.jp/ruroken/
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From February 11 to February 26, an exhibition inspired by the popular rock band CreepHyp will be held at the PARCO GALLERY on the 6th floor of the Nagoya PARCO West Building. The event is being held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CreepHyp. The exhibition is themed around a ‘Museum of Voices.’
A person’s voice is said to be a true expression of their personality. This exhibition will give fans a new sense of what CreepHyp is and will feature their music, their MC content, and various radio appearances.
Visitors will be able to listen to the member’s voices, but they’ll also be able to step on them, dive into them, look at them, and experience plenty of other ways to enjoy the band’s content. Completely immersed in this world of voices, this experience promises to be like no other. Come experience it while you can!
The exhibition was largely created by CHOCOLATE, the creative team behind CreepHyp’s past exhibitions. Exclusive merchandise will also be available on-site.
Information
Let Creephyp’s Music Rain Down on You like a Shower Exhibition
Running: February 11 – February 26 (15 days) *Closed on February 15
Venue: Nagoya PARCO West Building 6F, PARCO GALLERY
Tickets: https://eplus.jp/creephyp_exhibition/
*Pre-sale ticket lottery begins on January 21 at noon
Details: https://art.parco.jp/parcogallery/detail/?id=1151 -
Kobe is filled with famous sightseeing spots like the nostalgic Ijinkan neighborhood and port. The city is packed with fashionable shops and restaurants and is highly regarded for its selection of tasty sweets!The port city, with over 150 years of history, has fostered a unique and diverse culinary culture. Recently, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu began starring in a series of promotional videos for the Gastropolis Kobe project. The artist traveled to the city to partake in plenty of delicious treats, and MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON went along for the ride! Here are some of the singer's favorite spots around town.
Kobe, known as a city where East meets West, is lined with sweets shops that are unique to the area. The tea salon TOOTH TOOTH Dekoboko Sabo opened in 2019 in the Kobe City Museum and offers a menu that mixes Western food and sweets with tea and ingredients from traditional Japanese cuisine. Kyary ordered the Dekoboko Sabo Afternoon Tea Set, a collection of western sweets blended with the essence of traditional Japanese flavors. Guests are invited to enjoy their tea and sweets in a one-of-a-kind space filled with Meiji period flare and retro Western furniture. Those interested will need to make a reservation, so be sure to remember the next time you’re in Kobe. TOOTH TOOTH Decoboco SaboAddress: 24 Kyomachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe (Inside the Kobe City Museum)Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last Order at 16:30) Closed MondaysOfficial Site: https://toothtooth.com/restaurant/decoboco-sabo The next stop was Kobe Nankin-machi, one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. Kobe MILK is known nationwide for its Apricot Pudding, which is made with local ingredients. The raw apricot pudding is mixed with milk brought from the foot of Mt. Rokko and other ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. Of course, Kyary ordered some, and was amazed by its fluffy texture. You can only enjoy it in Kobe–also, the shop sells other puddings mixed with seasonal fruits, so don’t miss those either! Kobe MILKAddress: Shin-Motomachi Building 1F (1 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00 / Weekends 9:30-19:30Official Site: https://kobe-milk.com For Kyary’s final stop, the singer visited the Moore House, a cafe located in a building with over 100 years of history. Guests are surrounded by greenery, and the Western-style building is incredibly elegant. The Strawberry Mille-feuille Kyary ordered was created by an expert patissier and based on the strawberry mille-feuille recipe from the legendary French restaurant Maxim’s de Paris in Ginza. A generous amount of custard cream complements the crispy pie crust and enhances the sweetness of the fresh strawberries. We’d recommend it with a glass of champagne–if you’re of age. Kitano Ijin-kan Moore HouseAddress: 2-9-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, KobeHours: 11:00-17:00Closed TuesdaysOfficial Site: https://www.kitanomoore.com/cafe/ The streets of Kobe are packed with sweets that you can only enjoy if you visit. Why not come experience these incredible spots like Kyary did? Kobe Sweets Trailer: https://youtu.be/Sx9B1ZdAvlI -
The historic Nagoya Castle will hold a special nighttime viewing event for 14 days only, from November 25 until December 8, 2022. During this period, Honmaru Palace will be open to the public at night, and the Chrysanthemum Corridor inside will be open to visitors for the first time. The Ninomaru Garden will also be illuminated and will transport guests to a different place and time by showing a space only possible during dark hours. Inspired by the relationship between light and shadow, this event focuses on changes that occur over time and the creation and emergence of new ideas and things. Honmaru Palace, Typically Closed to the Public, to be Open at NightNagoya Castle’s Honmaru Palace was completed in 1615 and served as the primary residence of the Lord of the Owari Domain and as the Domain’s government office. The interior of the palace was lavishly decorated with paintings and other art pieces and was praised as a masterpiece. Sadly, it was destroyed by an air raid in 1945. Restoration work began in 2009 and was completed in 2018 with unparalleled accuracy. The Honmaru Palace gives off a completely different aura at night.
First Public Viewing of the Jodan-no-ma in the Joraku-den
The Joraku-den was added to Nagoya Castle to accommodate the third Shogun, Iemitsu, on his way to Kyoto. It is the most luxurious of all the Honmaru Palace buildings, and this event marks the first time that the Chrysanthemum Corridor on the north side will be open to the public. Visitors are welcome to admire the golden-blue paintings as they stroll through the historic site.See Spectacular Paintings when Entering the Tsugi-no-ma Room
During this period, visitors can enter the Tsugi-no-ma room to view classical period paintings, giving a more clear idea of how people acted and dressed during this time in history.[Ninomaru Garden Special Viewing]
~Witness a Never-Before-Seen Feudal Lord's Garden through a Spacial Presentation~Scenography for this unique show was provided by the creative label PERIMETRON. In order to show another side of the Ninomaru Garden at night, the company focused on light’s characteristics, from reflection and transmission to refraction and absorption. Light and shadow intertwine in various ways, and guests will be transfixed by this curious showing.Information
Nagoya Castle: Autumn Night Special Viewing ~KEI~
Running: November 25 – December 8, 2022
Viewing Hours: 9:00-19:30 (Gates close at 20:00)
Official Site: https://www.nagoyajo-kei.jp/
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Creative company NAKED is currently holding the NAKED FLOWER TOWER AUTUMN event at the Chubu Electric Power Company MIRAI TOWER Sky Deck in Nagoya until December 2, 2022.
The historic MIRAI TOWER, formerly the Nagoya TV Tower, opened in 1954. On October 12, 2022, the tower was registered as a tangible cultural property, and many companies have collaborated with the structure over the years. Now, NAKED’s digital art is creating a new night experience for visitors and residents of Nagoya! The NAKED FLOWER TOWER event which began this summer invited guests to enjoy Nagoya’s evening views with all five senses. The tower’s Sky Deck was decorated with fresh flowers, given that Aichi Prefecture is the nation’s largest flower producer. It was also brought to life with a special projection mapping performance, and guests could enjoy original drinks as they gazed out at the illuminated city. This event has now been reimagined for autumn, with fall flowers and grasses brightening the space. During the projection mapping show, a massive full moon is projected on the glass. You won’t want to miss it! Information
NAKED FLOWER TOWER AUTUMN
Running until December 2, 2022Venue:
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER (formerly the Nagoya TV Tower)
Sky Deck 90m Indoor Observation DeckOfficial Site: https://www.nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp/nakedinc/
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ANNA’S by Landtmann, a cafe located inside +Q Beauty on the 6th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, has begun selling two Halloween cakes! These spooky sweets will be available until October 31, 2022. Halloween Mont Blanc
Halloween Poison Apple Guests will be able to snag the Halloween Mont Blanc and Halloween Poison Apple cakes, available for ¥580 each including tax. The Mont Blanc is filled with pumpkin custard and Chantilly cream. The Poison Apple is a sweet and sour cake featuring a blend of chocolate mousse covered in red glaze and applesauce with apple pulp. Which of these two adorable cakes would you like to enjoy this autumn? Information
ANNA’S by Landtmann Halloween Cakes
Available: October 4 – October 31, 2022
Official Site: https://www.giraud.co.jp/annas/
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Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo will hold a special Christmas-themed Sylvanian Families buffet starting November 1, 2022. This is the second Sylvanian Families event following the previous Halloween-themed buffet, which became extremely popular. Some guests even bring their own Sylvanian Families dolls! Starting in November, visitors can enjoy a full lineup of 20 scrumptious dishes inspired by the cake shop found in Sylvania Village. Some sweets are also inspired by the many beloved characters found in the series, and anyone wanting to get into the Christmas spirit won’t want to miss this exclusive event. For those without a sweet tooth, some light lunches will also be available. The restaurant will also erect a decorative display of Sylvanian Families enjoying a Christmas party and a sweet diorama made exclusively of desserts by the pasty chef. Guests can enjoy tea time while getting lost in this magical world, so get excited about the Christmas season! 1. Sweets Inspired by the World of Sylvanian Families
2. Become Enthralled by a Wonderful Winter World of Sweets 3. Exclusive! Sweets Diorama and Sylvanian Families Photo Spot 4. Light Meals Perfect for Winter and Burgers Featuring Original Illustrations 5. A Special Plan to Enjoy the Buffet with Sylvanian Families Babies Information
Sweets Collection with Sylvanian Families
Running: November 1 – December 31, 2022
Venue: Keio Plaza Hotel’s Jurin Restaurant
Price: ¥5,500 (Adults) / ¥3,000 (Children 4-12) *Children under 3 free
Details/Reservations: https://www.keioplaza.co.jp/event/autumn-sweets/#event02