A special pop-up store celebrating the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film is coming to four locations in Tokyo and Kanagawa! The film is scheduled to be released on June 11, 2022, and fans can pick up some exclusive merchandise at Shinjuku Station, Kawasaki Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Akihabara Station. The dates are listed below!

Exclusive Products

Special Bonus

Product Lineup

Shop Displays

The pop-up shop will feature exclusive items decorated with popular imagery from the Dragon Ball series. Fans will also be able to grab some home goods themed around the Capsule House where Bulma lives!

As a purchase bonus, customers spending ¥2,500 or more will receive a special holographic sticker!

Each venue will be decorated, so enjoy taking some photos with your family and friends.

INN THE PARK Fukuoka is the first place in Kyushu where you can spend the night overnight in a public park! No, you won’t be sleeping on a bench or on the ground–this is way fancier. This is the second such location, with the first opening in Shizuoka in 2017. 

Spherical Tent

Glamping

Cabin

Suite

Restaurant

The new facility will be located in Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City. The park is about 6km from east to west and includes a zoo, outdoor swimming pool, aquarium, outdoor theater, and more. Guests can overlook Hakata Bay while enjoying these many fun outdoor activities and delightful accommodations! 

How about staying here on your next trip to Japan?

The Ryokan Tokyo Yugawara, a traditional-style Japanese inn and hot spring located in Kanagawa Prefecture, will open on March 18, 2022. The hot springs in the area have a storied history, appearing in the oldest collection of Japanese poems from the year 759 AD and loved by great writers such as Natsume Souseki and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. There is also a cafe inviting visitors to enjoy delicious meals as they relax in the springs.

Onsen Dojo operates and plans hot spring facilities, including the ‘Ofuro Cafe’ brand, resort facilities, and more. The company also provides support for local business investments. 

Sankt Gallen Taproom, a bar directly owned by the original Sankt Gallen microbrewery, has begun selling special menu items to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Honatsugi MYLORD until March 31, 2022. Since ancient times, black cats have been a symbol of prosperous business, and fittingly, the new menu features a black cat motif. 

The 40th-anniversary beer, Congratulations Nya~ England IPA, is a New England IPA-style beer, a style that originated in the New England region of the eastern United States. The orange-yellow liquid was inspired by the eyes of a black cat glowing in the dark. The adorable cat ear burger buns are baked at the city’s Good Aging Store. The black color is made by adding unsweetened black cocoa to the flour.

Pola Museum of Art opened in September 2002, its huge collection amassed by the second-generation founder of Pola, Tsuneshi Suzuki (1930-2000), over a period of about 40 years after World War II. The museum has since held various special exhibitions based on this collection–for the 10th anniversary in 2012, the Forest Promenade was opened along with a collection of outdoor sculptures, the opening of a contemporary art gallery, and more hands-on exhibitions. From April 9 until September 6, 2022, the POLA will host an exhibition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the venue’s opening. This event will focus on new additions to the gallery, including works by Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Gerhard Richter.

Water Lilies. Claude Monet, 1907. Oil/Canvas. (93.3 x 89.2 cm)

In planning the exhibition, the theme chosen was ‘light.’ Impressionist painters such as Monet were experts at capturing light, and this is easily seen in Water Lillies.

Expanding the Existing Collection, New Pieces Connect the Modern and Contemporary Periods

Woman with a Parasol. Robert Delaunay. 1913. Oil/Canvas. (123.5 × 90.3 cm)

While the collection is largely composed of modern Western and Japanese paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, the new additions include postwar contemporary pieces, with some on display for the first time ever.

The Largest Project in the Museum’s History

Woman with a Mirror. Fernand Léger. 1920. Oil/Canvas. (55.6 x 38.7 cm)

Woman Reading by the Window. Vilhelm Hammershøi. 1899. Oil/Canvas. (46.2×51.0 cm)

In order to showcase as much of the existing and new collections as possible, the exhibition will be held in five exhibition rooms in the museum, the Atrium Gallery, which was newly established in 2017 to showcase contemporary art, the lobby space, and even the forest promenade. This is the largest event since the opening of the Pola Museum of Art.

From Impressionism to the Present Day: Works Featuring ‘Light’

Abstract Painting. Gerhard Richter. 1987. Oil/Canvas. (200.7 × 200.8 cm) © Gerhard Richter 2021（20102021）

The exhibition introduces numerous works related to light from the height of the Impressionist movement to the present day. Be sure to visit if you can!

On November 23, 2021, RADWIMPS released their new album ‘FOREVER DAZE’ on the 16th anniversary of their major-label debut. A new report has been published highlighting the first day of the band’s new tour on December 4 at Pia Arena MM. 

RADWIMPS Official Live Report

“It went by in the blink of an eye. Thank you so much for coming out. All I can do is say ‘thank you.’ There is so much more I’d love to say, but when I see all of your faces like this, all I can manage to get out is ‘thank you.’ Meeting each and every one of you makes this all more real. I’ve been waiting to be able to do this for such a long time. Thank you.” 

This is how vocalist Yojiro Noda thanked the audience with all his heart and soul at the end of the show. The first day of the ‘FOREVER IN THE DAZE TOUR 2021-2022’ was a joyous occasion after nearly two years of the pandemic, with fans gathering to praise the band’s first new album in three years ‘FOREVER DAZE.’ 

Day one took place on December 4 at Pia Arena MM in Kanagawa. In addition to RADWIMPS members, drummers Mizuki Mori and Masafumi Eno, as well as guitarists Taiking (Suchmos) and Mizuki Masuda (miida) joined the band for this tour only. Since the tour has just started, I won’t spoil the set list and production, but the ensemble brought some incredible energy to the stage. RADWIMPS seemed to take on new life with each and every song performed, and the audience was slowly and steadily inspired by both Noda’s incredible vocals and the powerful instrumentals. As Noda said in a comment regarding the new album, “No matter how hard things get, I can always make music.” 

How will the new songs found on FOREVER DAZE fit in with the band’s classic tracks? The performance features graphics from visual artist Kento Yamada that will wow audiences more than they could ever anticipate. The curtain has risen on this new RADWIMPS. Get ready to see them in a whole new light. 

（text： Shoichi Miyake）

The ‘FOREVER IN THE DAZE TOUR 2021-2022’ is coming to six locations across Japan for twelve shows total. For more information, check out the official website!

The huggable next-generation pet robot LOVOT was first released one year ago, and to celebrate, some limited time merchandise and sweets are now on sale!

LOVOT LOVOT Anniversary Dessert Plate, available until October 31, 2021

Autumn Only! LOVOT LOVOT Chicken Plate with Mushroom Sauce, available until November 30, 2021

Coaster / Postcard / Clear Folder

LOVOT Cafe Original Coaster / LOVOT Cafe Original Smartphone Case

LOVOT Cafe Original Tote Bag / LOVOT Cafe Original T-Shirt (Unisex)

LOVOT Cafe Original Case / LOVOT Cafe Original Handtowel 

LOVOT Cafe Original Ballpen with Charm / LOVOT Cafe Original Mug

LOVOT Cafe Original American-style Cookie / LOVOT Cafe Original Natural Plate

LOVOT Cafe Original Pin

Featured in the special Dessert Plate is a loveable cake with LOVOT’s face, along with mini rolls, mini cupcakes, and vanilla ice cream with fruit on top. The LOVOT cake is made with milk chocolate and coffee mousse, along with chocolate streusel for a more mature flavor that isn’t overly sweet. Those who visit the store on or after October 1 will receive a limited-edition novelty drawing while supplies last. Coasters and postcards will also be given away on a first-come, first-served basis from October 1 until October 15, while clear folders will be gifted on or after October 16. 

The goods for this collection are based on the theme of ‘LOVE is here,’ so please look forward to these sweet collectibles and many more years of LOVOT!

Prepare for the ultimate comfy camping and dining experience! The Riviera Zushi Marina in Zushi City, Kanagawa, is opening a glamping-themed restaurant, Malibu Farm Kamakura Terrace, for a limited time only. Returning from a popular run last year, the comfy spot will be open from October 1 until February 28, 2022, with reservations now open. 

In addition to Malibu Farm’s commitment to fresh, organic, and local ingredients, this year’s menu will feature sustainable ingredients, with plenty of seafood and vegetables. Guests can relax in the luxurious comfort of their own private tent, enjoying a meal and the crisp sea air. 

Malibu Farm, incredibly popular with celebrities from L.A., opened its Japan location last March at the Riviera Zushi Marina Resort. Looking over the ocean, the locale offers breathtaking scenery with over 900 palm trees and a collection of luxury cruisers and yachts. 

Introduced last winter, the Kamakura Terrace is perfect for winter, with each private tent heated while not obstructing the view and giving guests a safe place to enjoy time with family and friends. This is the ideal location for birthdays and anniversaries, and watching the sunset will offer an unforgettable way to celebrate. 

The colorfully painted street pianos seen around Japan are set to make an appearance in Kanagawa Prefecture! Two of Yamaha’s upright LovePianos will be installed at two stations along the Hakone Ropeway from September 12 until September 25. During this time, anyone can freely play these pianos at Sounzan Station and Togendai Station. From the five distinctly designed LovePiano designs, numbers 1 and 2 will be installed for this event.

LovePiano #1

LovePiano #2

The Hakone Ropeway connects Sounzan Station and Togendai Station, a distance of about 4 kilometers, in 25 minutes. Those travelling this unique cable car line can catch glimpses of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko along the journey.

From March 18 until March 31, one of the LovePianos was installed at Sounzan Station to massive crowds and fanfare. Yamaha Music Japan has continued installing pianos in open spaces such as train stations, airports, and other facilities as part of the LovePiano project, which promotes activities to get the masses interested in piano playing. So far, LovePianos have popped up at over 60 locations, including Shinjuku Station, Shinagawa Station, Sapporo Station, and Osaka International Airport.

LovePiano will also be installed at Odawara Sannomaru Hall and Umemaru Square in the HaRuNe Odawara underground shopping mall from September 5 until the 17th.

Would you want to play one of these pianos in public?

UNDOKAIYA has turned Kyukitaashigarachu School into the new camping site CAMPiece which opened this month. The school, located in Minamiashigara, Kanagawa, closed in March 2010. UNDOKAIYA was the first in the priority list to acquire the rights to take over the site.

Photo of CAMPiece

Overhead view

Minamiashigara is known as the home town of Kintaro, a figure in Japanese folklore. It’s also home to many historical spots, such as Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, as well as tourist sites and facilities. CAMPiece aims to serve as an opportunity for people visiting Minamiashigara to enjoy its lush natural environment, to converse with the locals, help revitalise the regional economy, increase tourism, and increase job opportunities.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone has announced a special hydrangea-themed hotel plan for Japan’s rainy season which will run from June 12 to July 4.

Hydrangeas bloom before guest room benches

At KAI Hakone, there is a special guest room with an outdoor bench seating area which looks out into the green forest. Hydrangeas will bloom, providing a gorgeous backdrop as guests enjoy the sounds of the Sukumogawa River.

Hydrangea accessory kit

Guests will be given an accessory kit in their rooms to make their own flower accessories from hydrangea leaves and wooden mosaics. These accessories can be fitted to yukata, used as piercings, and more to serve a Japanese summer vibe.

Enjoy hydrangea sweets and shaved iced

Guests can turn their rooms into a little tearoom with the wooden mosaic plaques provided on which they can tuck into a range of hydrangea-flavoured sweets and desserts along with a cup of matcha. The shaved ice is a KAI Hakone-original made with jelly and syrup coloured purple with hydrangea.

The hydrangea is perhaps the most celebrated flower in all of Hakone, arriving in early summer. It’s hailed in a variety of ways, one of the most popular being the Hydrangea Train, a nickname given to the train that runs from Odawara Station to Gora Station. Passangers are treated to an incredible view out the train window as their vision is filled with vivid hydrangea flowers.

This year marks the second that KAI Hakone is offering its seasonal hydrangea plan. If you’re able to visit during this time, don’t miss out.

MUFG has announced that decided its Tokyo-based Musashino Sports Ground will is transforming into the new MUFG Park (tentative name) as part of its efforts toward the realisation of a sustainable environment and society. Set to open in 2023, MUFG Park will consist of three concept areas: a precious green environment in the city center (nature); environments for sports and to promote health (sports); and an environment for social exchange and activities (communication).

Tennis courts and grounds for soccer, rugby, and other sports

A community library stocked with reading material catering to cultural needs

Hosting lots of programs together with users of MUFG Park

“Committed to empowering a brighter future” is MUFG’s slogan which it is branding to help achieve a more sustainable environment and society. MUFG Park aims to resolve a wide variety of local and social issues that must be faced now and in the future, such as the conservation and passing-down of values related to precious natural spaces in urban areas, support for community-building in response to the post-COVID-19 era, and the creation of a resilient society. It also hopes to help empower a brighter future by communicating the various experiences and values cultivated there to society.