NAKED’s DANDELION PROJECT will be held at Shiga’s Hikone Castle for eight days starting November 5, 2022. The work will be exhibited as a part of NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO, a next-generation art project put on in conjunction with Kyoto City, Uji City, and Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture.

Created by Ryotaro Muramatsu, the art project has appeared in a number of towns and cities around the world, inviting participants to create flowers and send them around the globe digitally as a hope for peace. Visitors can use their smartphones to send dandelion fluff digitally to other participants around the world, sharing a wish for world peace. 

Following last year’s event, the DANDELION art piece will be exhibited at Hikone Castle again in 2022. The castle is over 400 years old and the castle tower, completed in 1606,  is designated as a national treasure. During this time, the art piece will also be on display at Enryakuji and Shigain Monzeki Temple in Shiga. Hikone Castle is currently seeking to be registered as a World Heritage site. Why not take part in this unique project to bring the world a bit more peace?

The third phase of the popular illumination event at the English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada will be held from October 8, 2022 until February 12, 2023! One of the largest light-up events in the Kansai region, this year’s theme is ‘Evolutionary Lights!’ 

Let Time Pass in The Golden Forest

Visitors will be welcomed into a glorious forest of golden lights as they arrive in the main area. 

The clock tower rises in the center, and the spectacular production begins at the start of nightfall when the tower itself begins to glow and 100 trees are enveloped in golden light.

The White and Silver Garden of the Fairies

The area has undergone a major transformation, from the warm European-inspired colors of last year’s event to a mysterious silvery-white color scheme. Visitors can also enjoy the popular light-up experience Miraculous Blue Roses and the Seven-Colored Prayer Tree.

※Details: Lights and effects are triggered in response to the sound of bells rung by visitors and special pedals stepped on as they explore the event.

Shaun the Sheep Area

A special Christmas display inspired by the new Shaun the Sheep movie, releasing in December 2022, will be on display.

*Images of the special display will be available in mid-September.

​SHAUN THE SHEEP AND SHAUN’S IMAGE ARE ™ AARDMAN ANIMATIONS LTD. 2022

Galactic Express Milky Way

The Milky Way is said to be a magnificent shade of blue. The Milky Way Galaxy Railroad, which requires a separate fee, runs through the area, inviting guests to explore a sea of stars. Why not take a trip through this glittering world of lights while taking some incredible photos?

Why not visit this incredible sea of lights this winter?

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?

Lake Biwa Canal, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Shiga, will be completely illuminated each night from March 25 until April 10! The nearby Onjo-ji Temple will also be lit up during the duration of the event.

Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination – Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal

The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from the biggest lake in Japan to Kyoto and was built during the Meiji era using the best civil engineering technology of the time. Both sides of the bank are lined with almost 200 cherry trees, making it one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots with a spectacular view leading to Onjo-ji Temple.

Onjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022

Over 600 lights will be set up around the temple grounds to illuminate the cherry blossoms. The national treasures and designated cultural properties will be completely open to the public for nighttime viewing.

Biwako Hotel in Shiga Prefecture is now selling two original cocktails inspired by the Hyakunin Isshu poem anthology until March 4, 2022. Originally created in 2021, these drinks will be available at the Bel Lago Bar. 

Biwako Hotel began selling a series of Hyakunin Isshu-inspired cocktails starting in 2017 to commemorate the 1350th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Otsu. In 2019, the location opened a 100-person sweets buffet, and in the spring and fall of 2021 the hotel offered an afternoon tea set based on the 100 famous poems. By 2021, the hotel had come up with 35 cocktails, but due to the spread of COVID-19, this was put on hold. Two of the best cocktails are now back for a limited time.

Menu

Minano-gawa
“Feel the love deepen over time, like the stream widening into a river as it descends Mount Tsukuba.”

Poem 13, Retired Emperor Yozei
This poem compares the poet’s ever-deepening and melancholic love to the course of the Minano River. 
This drink includes layers of colorful liqueurs. The delicate color of the border reminds guests of the complexity of love.

Osaka no Seki
“Truly, this is where travelers who go or come over parting ways–Friends or strangers–all must meet: The gate of “Meeting Hill.”

Poem 10, Semimaru
This poem speaks of the Osaka Barrier, which was located on the boundary between present-day Kyoto and Omi, now known as Shiga Prefecture. 

The author, Semimaru, had a hermitage near this famed border. The mellow green color of the beverage evokes the image of a traveler passing by on a mountain road in early spring.

What is the Hyakunin Isshu? 

Those who have seen the anime series Chihayafuru will be very well acquainted with the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, a collection of 100 famous poems in Japanese history collected from the early tenth to the early thirteenth century. These poems are said to have been selected by Fujiwara no Teika, a poet and critic of his day. In the Edo period, these poems were illustrated and became popular among the general public. Students in Japanese schools memorize many of these poems at a young age. 

NAKED’S DANDELION PROJECT is coming to Shiga Prefecture’s Hikone Castle! The National Treasure site will display the digital art on the castle’s stone tower starting November 27, 2021. This comes as a collaboration with Kinki Nippon Tourist. Since its launch in 2020, the DANDELION PROJECT has opened 16 locations around the world, with over 650,000 visitors participating in both the local and online exhibitions. 

The DANDELION PROJECT is inspired by the idea of world peace and hopes to help transcend barriers and connect people in an increasingly divided world. This networked initiative wants to bring this change about by planting (or installing) dandelion-inspired art around the world, while it invites people visiting these dandelion exhibits to send their prayers for peace as a digital flower in real-time. Current installations include Tokyo Tower and Saga Prefectural Exhibition Hall. 

Starting on November 6, 2021, Hikone Castle is now open to the public during nighttime hours. The castle overlooks Lake Biwa and is filled with 400-year-old charm. Visitors are welcome to send their wishes and prayers to the world and to hope for a better new year. 

In scenic Shiga prefecture, visitors can find one of the largest light-up events in the Kansai region. The Rosa & Berry Tawada park is celebrating ten years in 2021, and to celebrate this milestone, the Rosa & Berry Illumination 2021 is covering the space in thousands of brightly colored rainbow lights!

Giant 4-meter Wreath and Treehouse

Constructing the Giant Wreath

Illuminated Flowers

Glittering Balloons & Rainbow Churros

The main stage, Stardust Lake, is located beside the Galaxy Railroad area. Guests can experience the beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, as they wander the illuminated grounds. Don’t miss this year’s unique light show ‘Rainbow of Hope,’ a wish for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In commemoration of the park’s 10th anniversary, a huge wreath over four meters wide will be hung within the park. Created by Yoshihi Futana, the wreath was created with carefully collected plants that were starting to wither. The size is sure to impress, so don’t miss your chance to snap a picture with this work of art!

The church-like building sitting atop a hill in the park is decorated with illuminated flowers made by creative team You Ru Maru. Fans of Shaun the Sheep can enjoy a store dedicated to the popular character and his friends on-site, some hotpot during the cooler months at the Kotatsu Nabe restaurant, and a hot cup of tea overlooking the lights at the Hillside Cafe Tearoom. Don’t forget to grab a rainbow churro as you wander around the park!

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.

The Nagahama Kurokabe area of Shiga in Japan opened two new shops on March 22: Kurokabe Pudding and Omigyu Curry Bread.

High quality food infused with that Nagahama Kurokabe essence

Nagahama is one of the most popular tourist and sightseeing spots in Shiga Prefecture. One area of the city is known as Kurokabe which is home to a bounty of traditional Japanese shops, craftsmen, and old-time roads and buildings. Kurokabe Pudding’s image matches the area, which is one of the reasons behind its opening, something that has been two years in the making. Japanese purin, or custard pudding, is a staple dessert across the country, and Kurokabe Pudding comes as the first pudding specialist shop to open in the area.

The same goes for Omigyu Curry Bread which will serve up a variety of delicious curry flavoured breads made with famous Omigyu beef.

Kurokabe Pudding

Kurokabe Glass | ¥500 (Tax Included)

All puddings at Kurokabe Pudding are handmade with high quality ingredients. They are made with domestic milk along with a variety of delicious ingredients such as houjicha and matcha from Uji in Kyoto, vanilla beans, and more. The matcha puddings also include black soybeans from Tamba.

Six puddings are featured on the permanent menu line-up, all of which have designs inspired by the Kurobe Glass Shop.

Omigyu Curry Bread

Curry Bread | ¥450 (Tax Included)

Onions and carrots are added to a fragrant roux for this curry bread which is filled with slices of Omigyu beef and cooked in the oven. The black colour is also based on the Kurokabe Glass Shop.

Izu Shaboten Zoo’s annual “Capybara Yuzu Hot Bath” event is set to return this winter from December 19, 2020 to January 5, 2021.

In Japan, there’s a saying that you won’t catch a cold if you take a hot yuzu bath, and so it has been a custom since the Edo period to float the fruits on top of the water during the winter season.

Izu Shaboten Zoo’s “Capybara Yuzu Hot Bath” event first started in 1996 and has continued every year since throughout the winter and over the New Year. Visitors flock to see the capybara looking content as they enjoy their warm citrus-smelling baths.

The zoo’s adorable capybara plush toy makes a return this year too. They are made with traditional Japanese colours like indigo blue and emerald green. Their cute appearance are sure to have you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park is set to host an autumn illumination event from November 14 to 29 where around 500 individual trees of 20 species will be lit up with beautiful lights. The best time to see the park’s autumn colours is dated at November 20.

Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park opened as Japan’s first national government park in 1974. This enormous park spans 5km between its north and south entrances. It’s home to many fun family activities including trampolines, an athletic course, and more. It also offers gorgeous natural scenery throughout the year.

500 maple trees lit up at night

The park will be open in the evenings for this event when red, yellow, and orange maple trees will be illuminated in breathtaking lights. There will also be art installation illuminations for visitors to enjoy too.

Starbucks Japan is opening a new branch in MIYASHITA PARK on August 4, 2020. Set to be Starbucks Japan’s fifth “park” branch—opening inside a park—the new coffee shop is being produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products, and stands as a new landmark of Shibuya. On the rooftop is the newly-arranged park area which has its own skate park, bouldering wall, and more. It’s home to all-new facilities, and there’s also the actual park where events can take place.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park offers a new style of Starbucks conceived from the mind of Hiroshi Fujiwara. Glass doors are fitted on both the front and back sides of the cafe, allowing for a full-open design. The flooring is coloured green, making it feel as if it has become one with the green outdoors of the park, and the same mesh used inside Miyashita Park is used for the ceiling.

The cafe’s design was conceived to be a unique standout in the park, specifically with the image in mind of countries outside Japan where you walk along a lone road and eventually come to a gas station.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park will also sell a range of merchandise at the back of the shop, as well as Starbucks coffee beans. There’s also a glass table in the middle of the cafe which slots in nicely with the overall aesthetic. The fun design together with the expanse of the park outside adds for an enjoyable combination that makes it a pleasant stay as you sip your beverage.

The regular line-up of merchandise sold at the Miyashita Park branch, such as the tumblers, are all produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand. Items are branded with the word “MYST” which lets you know it’s from this particular branch, as well as Fragment’s logo.

Discover a new Starbucks experience at Miyashita Park.