Last year, the HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE collaboration appeared at AF Gallery in Harajuku from August 10 until August 28, garnering massive acclaim from fans. The collection is now being sold at Shinsaibashi PARCO until March 12, 2023.

HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE is a Studio Ghibli-inspired apparel collection by the popular American counterculture chain Hot Topic. Bringing more Japanese culture to the ongoing Studio Ghibli collaboration launched in 2014, Hot Topic stores began selling original items produced by nine Japanese creators and brands, as well as some original American items produced by Hot Topic’s executive designers.

The lineup of Japan-original items includes T-shirts, tote bags, and other items featuring exclusive artwork by up-and-coming creators. These items depict beloved characters from Studio Ghibli’s works, as well as logos created for the collaboration. Fans won’t want to miss grabbing these unique items!

Details on the Previous HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE Pop-Up Store: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/ja/625747

American casual wear brand GBL is selling original Studio Ghibli character design varsity jackets made from MeLton fabric. This year will mark 30 years since the premiere of Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service. From 11am on July 13, you can make your reservations at Studio Ghibli’s online merchandise shop Donguri Kyowakoku Soranoue.

The Kiki’s Delivery Service varsity Jacket, which celebrates the film’s 30th anniversary, is decorated with a thick, embroidered emblem. The buttons have a Kiki engraved design on them for a luxurious finish. 

The MeLton fabric used is thick and is especially good for keeping you warm. 

Every inch of GBL’s premium jackets are made with lots of care and attention to detail. Picking out different outfits to compliment your jacket in autumn and winter couldn’t be more fun. 

HEP FIVE Umeda, Osaka is currently home to a temporary GBL shop. The jackets will be released here for advanced sale ahead of other regions of Japan on July 5, 2019. Please come check them out!

GBL is a Japanese brand that sells casual American style apparel with designs and motifs taken from Studio Ghibli movies.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kiki’s Delivery Service and the brand has teamed up with BABY-G, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, to release a wristwatch inspired by the internationally beloved film.

The base for the wristwatch is the BGD-501 model which was a tremendously popular design in Japan in the 2000’s. The limited edition anniversary item is littered with Kiki design.

The watch’s dial is inspired by the movie’s poster advertised when the film was released which featured Kiki working at the counter of Gütiokipänjä Bakery. When the watch’s internal back-light shines you can see the bakery’s logo.

The timepiece’s body comes with in matte black making it easy to co-ordinate with outfits.

Donguri Kyowakoku is taking online orders from early March and will sell it in-store from early April. Further information will be made available in the near future on GBL’s brand site and Instragram page.

From Saturday 20th April 2019 to Sunday 12th May 2019, Kanda Shrine’s Myojin hall, which has recently been set up in the Edo Culture Complex (EDOCCO), will hold a special exhibition dedicated to Studio Ghibli and its former president Toshio Suzuki.  The exhibition “Toshio Suzuki to Ghibli” will be open every day during the event period.

Photographer：Nobuyoshi Araki

 painted by Toshio Suzuki 　Photographer： AYANO YAMANO

The “Toshio Suzuki to Ghibli” exhibition is dedicated to the words of Toshio Suzuki; the talented producer of Japan’s most widely famous film studio that has fans within Japan and all over the world. Starting at Hiroshima last year, the exhibition was then packed with more Studio Ghibli magic and transformed into the “Studio Ghibli Toshio Suzuki Kotoba no Maho-ten” (Words of magic exhibition). This took place in Nagoya and Kanazawa.

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past　©TS　©Studio Ghibli

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past ©TS

The past exhibition featured documents and illustrations by Suzuki. A message he wrote for future generations to read was also presented to the visitors of the exhibition. The exhibition to be held this year at Kanda Myojin will be selling Ghibli collaboration goods!

looks of the Words of magic exhibition from the past　©TS　©Studio Ghibli

In order to reach out to more people, the director’s intentions from all Ghibli’s numerous works have been put into words by Toshio Suzuki. Just by looking at these strong words, anyone can feel the distinct film scenes of Ghibli. You will continue to be drawn into the world of Ghibli. It has been 40 years since Suzuki met Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki and teamed up to create Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, the Wind Rises, the Tale of Princess Kaguya and many more famous films. Where does a Ghibli film start and which direction does it take? The exhibition features Suzuki’s documents and notes for such films, including Suzuki’s starting points and a walk-through right to the current moment. Come discover the secrets of Ghibli films!

Follow Suzuki’s words to unravel the secrets of the world of Studio Ghibli!

Closet is a new brand created by Donguri Kyowakoku―the official Studio Ghibli merch shop in Japan―and they’ve just unveiled a new series of denim goods embroidered with My Neighbor Totoro designs. The new merch will drop at the Lazona Kawasaki Plaza branch of Closet and at shops stocking the Closet brand from October 13.

Closet Limited Edition – My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series – Tote Bag: ¥2,300 (Pre-Tax)

Closet is a new spin-off brand from Donguri Kyowakoku whose products focus on the heroines of the Studio Ghibli filmography who wield a strong heart under their kindness.

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series – Lunch Tote Bag: ¥2,100 (Pre-Tax)

The brand’s first permanent shop opened in Lazona Kawasaki in March this year where they stock a whole variety of Ghibli items aimed at women including cosmetics, pouches, accessories and more.

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series – Mini Pouch: ¥1,500 (Pre-Tax)

My Neighbor Totoro Denim Series – Pouch w/Gusset: ¥1,700 (Pre-Tax)

This is the second denim series in the line following the Kiki’s Delivery Service run of embroidered denim items. There are four pieces in total: a tote bag, lunch tote bag, mini pouch and a pouch with a gusset.

If you’re a Totoro fan then be sure to check out this delicately crafted series.

Studio Ghibli’s animated features are loved the world over, with classic titles such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totori and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Plans for a Ghibli theme park are now in place and it is scheduled to open in Aichi Prefecture in 2022. The exact location will be Ai-Chikyu Haku Kinen Koen, also known as Moricoro Park, which is where the Expo 2005 World’s Fair took place.

Let’s take a little look at some of the park’s areas that are currently under construction.

Seishun no Oka Area

The ‘Hill of Youth Area.’ Right at the entrance is the main gate’s elevator tower, which is being established as a landmark. It takes inspiration from Howl’s Moving Castle, incorporating a design based on late-19^th century sci-fi elements. It plans to be a symbolic structure of the main gate.

Next to the elevator tower will be the antique shop as seen in Whisper of the Heart.

Ghibli no Daisouko Area

The ‘Ghibli’s Great Storehouse Area.’ The warm water pool currently being managed at Moricoro Park will close in September 2018 and undergo renovation to be turned into the new Ghibli storehouse area. This area will be a collection of storehouses littered with lots of exciting Studio Ghibli displays.

Everything here will be indoors, so it won’t be affected by the weather, allowing people to enjoy their time seeing all there is to see. Lots of planned for this area including item exhibition rooms, video exhibition rooms, a play area for children, and more.

Mononoke no Sato Area

The ‘Mononoke Village Area.’ To harmonize with the Japanese landscape, places like the Aichi Satorabo fields at Moricoro Park will take inspiration from the international sensation Princess Mononoke, with the construction of the Tatara factory and more. There will also be art displays of the Tatari Gami demon, Lord Okkoto boar god and others from the film. The entire area will be turned into a Princess Mononoke village.

Majo no Tani Area

The ‘Witch Valley Area.’ This area will take on the theme of two films imbued with magic: Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Expect to see Howl’s Castle and a play area based on Kiki’s house amongst other attractions.

The colourful streetscape will be as if you’ve been sucked right into the films themselves!

Dondoko Mori Area

The ‘Dondoko Forest Area’ is Totoro themed. Satsuki and Mei’s house is already built here. A reception area will be built and the path in the forest behind the mountain will be renovated to enhance the surrounding area of the house even more.

The area’s name comes from the ‘dondoko dance’ that Satsuki and Mei do with Totoro to make the seeds they planed grow even quicker.

We can hardly wait for the opening of the official Studio Ghibli theme park in 2022!

Tsutaya Books and Studio Ghibli are launching a new fashion brand called “Studio Ghibli no Anofuku”, which will be selling at Tsutaya Books in Daikanyama and Nakameguro.

Playful designs of Studio Ghibli characters have been hand embroidered onto carefully selected vintage wear. A lot of care and love has been put into every stitch to make these one-of-a-kind fashion items. The market for this product is largely aimed at children. You can purchase the cute clothes from the online shop, or alternatively, pop into Tsutaya in Daikanyama or Nakameguro.

At Tsutaya in Daikanyama, there will be a clothes care workshop running to commemorate “Studio Ghibli no Anofuku”.

Embark on an adventure with your favourite Ghibli characters!

A common setting to see in anime is a Japanese high school. Do you ever wonder what it’s like to put on a Japanese school uniform and go to school?

Well, look no further. These Japanese commercials (CM) will give you a peek into the life of a Japanese high school student, and also let you experience it a little.

A Japanese High School Musical – “Pocari Sweat”

“Pocari Sweat” always showcase high school students wearing their uniforms while dancing in their CM’s. In this particular video, the students are on a school trip, and dance just about everywhere – by the ocean, on the bus, and around the camp fire. The lyrics of the song they are singing also embodies a strong sense of seizing what lies ahead in the future.

“kimi no yume to boku no yume / meguriatte kanau hazu sa / souzou ijou no mirai he” (translation: your dreams and mine / we shall encounter them, they will come true / towards an even greater future than we imagined”)

What if Kiki & Tombo Became High School Students? – “Nissin Cup Noodle” CM

The theme for Nissin’s “Cup Noodles” this year is “youth,” and to capture that image they released a CM based on the Studio Ghibli classic “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” Set in a parallel world to the movie, the video focuses on the “what if” of what if Kiki and Tombo became high school students in our day and age?

This feelsy CM conveys Kiki’s love for Tombo, as her eyes follow him wherever he goes hoping he will notice her.

To Love the ‘Now’ Even More – “Calpis” CM

Summers at high school in Japan are all about enjoying the things you will only be able to do during the ‘now’ to the fullest. The invigorating days of summer are fleeting and grow shorter. The song that the students sing in this video is a very famous song. Those of you who are into J-pop or anime may have heard it before.

Song Title: secret base ～Kimi ga Kureta Mono～

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will introduce to you even more Japanese CM’s that capture the ‘Japanese experience’! If you know of one yourself, then be sure to comment it on the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Facebook page.

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Donguri Republic, the shop selling all things Studio Ghibli, are introducing some new Totoro figures to their shelves in Japanese stores and online. They will go on sale from September 15th this year and come in all different kinds of poses.

This cute collection comes with 6 figures of everyone’s favourite Totoro, all in varying poses. Although, one of the poses is a secret. Each of them will make wherever you decide to put them that much livelier, whether at home or at work. You’ll feel safe and better knowing that your big friend Totoro is watching over you.

The figures will be available from September 15th. And if you buy all 6, including the secret Totoro, you’ll get an electric lamp figure (above), as seen in the movie, completely free to go with your Totoro.

Turn your home into a world of Ghibli with your best friend, Totoro!

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Oh you fancy, huh?

Normally the meal of choice for hard-up college students, salarymen who’ve blown through their weekly food allowance, and late night boozers with poor impulse control, the original high-salt, low-cost instant noodle phenomenon Cup Noodle launched a new line of “luxury” flavors last year to appeal to—presumably—more discerning palates.

We scoffed a bit at the time, but the new flavors proved to be a spectacular hit, selling about 14 million cups to date. Unsurprisingly, the company has decided to expand the series, and this week, they announced the latest flavor: rich abalone and oyster stew.

Available nationwide on April 24, the new flavor boasts the freeze-dried noodles you know and love in a “thick, rich oyster sauce-based soup flavored with abalone soy sauce, topped with abalone-seasoned bok choy, king oyster mushrooms, cloud ear mushrooms and red bell peppers.”

Japan’s biggest Korean barbecue chain adds two set meals for Muslim meat fans.

Gyu-Kaku is one of Japan’s most popular yakiniku (Korean barbecue) chains, with locations all across the country. However, Gyu-Kaku is also an internationally minded company, having expanded to the U.S., Canada and other parts of Asia as well.

While Gyu-Kaku is yet to reach the Middle East, it is ready to start accommodating Muslim diners at its new branch in Tokyo’s Akasaka neighborhood. When it opens on April 17, the Akasaka Gyu-Kaku will be the first to offer halal course meals, in accordance with Islamic dietary customs.

Appearing on the menu are the 4,500-yen (US$41) Muslim-Friendly Gyukaku Course, and the more upscale 6,500-yen Muslim-Friendly Wagyu Course. Both feature a variety of vegetable and meat dishes, but neither contain nor are prepared with any sort of pork products/extracts or alcohol.

In keeping with halal principles, the cooking and eating utensils involved are used exclusively for the Muslim-friendly course meals, and bear a mark of certification from Islamic Center Japan.

▼ Even the dipping sauce containers and drinking vessels are halal-certified.

▼ The dishes, glasses, and cookware for the halal meal are also hand-washed separately from those used for Gyu-Kaku’s non-halal meals.

We stopped by the restaurant for a pre-opening taste test of the Muslim-Friendly Wagyu Course, which includes beef, chicken, and seafood.

The first order of business was to compare the flavor of Gyu-Kaku’s standard dipping sauce, made with mirin (a sweet cooking rice wine that’s extremely common in Japanese cooking), to the halal sauce which uses sugar instead.

▼ Standard sauce on left, halal sauce on right

We’re extremely familiar with Gyu-Kaku’s sauce, having eating at the chain dozens of times. And yet, we honestly couldn’t tell the difference, as the halal version tastes just like the original.

Next up: kimchi.

▼ Standard on left, halal on right

Again, the two versions’ flavors were remarkably similar. If we had to make a distinction, we’d say the halal version was just a touch spicier, but we only noticed that because we we’re eating them at the same time. Had we just walked into a Japanese yakiniku restaurant and been given Gyu-Kaku’s halal kimchi without knowing about its special status, we would have simply thought we were eating ordinary, extremely tasty kimchi.

It’s back and is looking better than ever!

No one does cheesecakes quite like Osaka-based “fresh-baked cheese tart” chain PABLO. Part of what makes their cheesecakes so special is that they are baked to your desired level of firmness. PABLO founder Masamitsu Sakimoto wanted to produce a cheesecake that could be served with different textures, much like a steak, and from there, the original recipe was created and perfected.

Now, what could make a perfect cheesecake even better? The one thing that makes everything better – matcha green tea. PABLO released their matcha cheese tart for a limited time last year, and now it’s back to grace our taste buds yet again.

The matcha cheesecake will be available from this Saturday, April 15 at PABLO locations across the country, for 1,111 yen (US$10.20) per 15-centimeter (six-inch) tart.

The batter is thoroughly infused with just the right amount of aromatic Uji matcha powder, from the Uji area of Kyoto. Inside is plenty of tsubuan red bean paste and shiratama rice flour dumplings. The combination of slightly sweet red beans and rice flour dumplings with the bitterness of matcha gives the tart a uniquely Japanese flavor.