As part of the ongoing Channel47 project, which uses the power of local resources and entertainment to share Japan and its local culture with the world, a new travel experience titled ‘DEEP EXPERIENCE THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-’ is now on sale, taking visitors to Iida, Nagano Prefecture.

Iida City in Nagano Prefecture will be the location for the tour, with the city selected by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2024 for its ‘Project to Promote Expansion and Quality of Inbound Tourism by Providing Special Experiences for Visitors.’ The Minami Shinshu Tourism Bureau helped to create the tour for inbound travelers to experience the “real” Japanese countryside found in the Tenryu Gorge area of Iida City by funding farmhouse homestays in the area.

By creating a travel experience that takes advantage of the local resources of Tenryu Gorge in Iida City, we aim to promote sustainable tourism activities by communicating the charm of the region to people in both Japan and abroad, revitalizing local production, passing on traditional culture, and strengthening cooperation between local communities.

A new commercial for Pokemon GO’s second ‘Let’s GO to the Hills’ campaign is now airing nationwide, calling on all players of the smartphone game to work up a sweat while exploring new scenery around Japan. Set in the Fukiya district of Takahashi, Okayama, the ad stars the popular actress Mitsuki Takahata. The ‘Let’s GO to the Hills’ campaign focuses on hills and slopes, and players might find some fun new Pokemon on their travels.

The new commercial began airing nationwide on January 20, and its setting–the Fukiya district of Takahashi, Okayama–has flourished since the Edo period as a leading copper and red ocher producer. Red ocher is a byproduct of copper production and is used in many traditional Japanese crafts, even called Japan Red by some.

Several popular Pokemon appear alongside Takahata in the ad, including Chimchar, Fletchling, Hisuian Voltorb, Nyabby, Darumaka, and Charizard. Be sure to listen out for Takahata’s Okayama accent!

From January 20 until July 19, a 4-meter-high real-world PokeStop will appear at the former Fukiya Elementary School in Fukiya Furusato Village. Yes, it will be linked to the game as well!

Curtains and tapestries featuring Pokemon silhouettes and dyed Japan Red will also appear in the village, and each will point the way to real PokeStops. While it might be a little off the beaten path, come enjoy Fukiya and see what kinds of Pokemon you can find!

©2023 Niantic, Inc.
©2023 Pokémon. ©1995-2023 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
ポケモン・Pokémon は任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。

U-Treasure, a company offering proper jewelry inspired by pop culture, has announced a Pikachu engagement ring! The item was made available on December 13 and can hold large diamonds from 1-1.999 carats. Each ring features a male and female Pikachu, perfect for the Pokemon master in your life. Along with this, a silver version made from cubic zirconia featuring the same design is available to pre-order until January 31, 2023.

[Pokemon] Pikachu Carat Solitaire Ring

On December 9, Original Japan released 32 new patterns for the popular Pokemon Shirts line, this time from Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.

With the addition of these new designs, customers can choose from a total of 493 patterns. These patterns can also be used in masks and bandanas.

32 New Patterns from Pokemon Diamond & Pearl!

The new patterns were inspired by ‘Evolution and Legends.’ Fans can find popular Pokemon like Giratina, Rotom, and Weavile, so be sure to check out the website for more details. 

Dark Ball and Quick Ball Buttons are Now Available!

To celebrate these new patterns, new buttons inspired by the Dark Ball and Quick Ball are now available. Fans can also choose from the traditional Pokeball, Great Ball, Hyper Ball, Premier Ball, Moon Ball, and Dive Ball. 

The cities of Hirosaki and Hakodate in Hokkaido have announced that they will team up with Hatsune Miku’s popular iteration Snow Miku to promote tourism in the area this winter. A number of activities will begin in December 2022.

[Snow Miku x Hirohako] Collaboration Project

■Hirohako Winter Tourism Campaign Poster Featuring Snow Miku

・Period: Mid-November~February 28, 2023

・Locations: Facilities in both cities, tourist facilities, hotels, shopping areas

■Snow Miku Illustration Contest Exhibition Event

Over 50 illustrations have been submitted under the theme of Snow Miku and Hakodate / Snow Miku and Hirosaki. These will be on display through the winter!

・Running: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Venues: Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center (Hirosaki)
                    Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (Hakodate)

■Snow Miku Photo Spot

Snow Miku panels featuring shamisen and apples from Hirosaki will be on display, while the Hakodate version will include references to squid fishing and footbaths. 

・On Display: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: JR Hirosaki Station, Chuohirosaki Station (Hirosaki)
                        JR Hakodate Station, Hakodate Airport (Hakodate)

■Digital Stamp Rally Using the Mikunavi App

A number of panels will be installed at five checkpoints in Hirosaki and Hakodate. A total of 1,000 people–500 in each city–will win original merch including a Snow Miku mask case and decorated masking tape. All you need to do is check in!

・Available: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: (Hirosaki) Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center, Hirosaki City Machinaka  Information Center,

                         Hirosaki Tourist Information Center, Hirosaki Castle Information Center, Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

　　　　　　(Hakodate) Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Yunokawa Hot Spring Footbath, Goryōkaku Tower,

Hakodate Green Plaza C Block (Hakodate Lumi-Pop), Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

■Hirohako Winter Tourism Campaign Theme Song and Music Video 

The tourism theme song will get a new music video that will be broadcast on YouTube, at local tourist facilities, and on TV and radio!

・On Air: December 1, 2022~

・Theme Song: Mahou no Keshiki (Lyrics/Composition: ryuryu)

■Snow Miku Welcome Announcements to be Broadcast at Tourism Facilities, etc. 

A one-minute welcome announcement by Snow Miku will air at tourist facilities!

・Running: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: Tourist areas in both cities

■Snow Miku Filters Using AR

When each barcode is scanned with a smartphone, Snow Miku will appear on the screen! Visitors can take pictures with Snow Miku to commemorate their winter trip to Hirosaki and Hakodate.

・Available: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

Puma and Pokemon are joining forces for the first time. The Puma x Pokemon collection officially went on sale on November 12, offering fans a collection of sneakers, bags, apparel, and more.

The playful new collection incorporates iconic images of popular Pokemon like Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. The shoe lineup includes popular models like the Slipstream, Suede Classics, and Rider FV. Pokemon can be found hiding on the shoe’s tongue, insole, and heel, and fans are sure to love these stylish kicks. For apparel, customers can grab cotton T-shirts, crew-neck sweatshirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and more. Complete your look with a beanie or messenger bag. 

The Puma x Pokemon collection is on sale at Puma Store Harajuku Cat Street, Puma Store Osaka, Puma Store Odaiba, Puma Store Fujimi, Puma Store Kyoto, Puma Sapporo Factory, Puma Store Fukuoka, and the official Puma online store. 

The Kirby Cafe has announced a warm and tasty new winter menu! New items will be available from November 17, 2022 until February 28, 2023, and are sure to warm up fans of the beloved video game series.

Menu

Winter Kirby Burger & Pasta with Powdered Snow Cheese (30th Anniversary Version)

Winter Waddle Dee Burger & Pasta with Powdered Snow Cheese

Waddle Dee’s Dreamy White Stew

Chef Kawasaki’s Winter Hors d’oeuvres with Roast Beef

Transform! Carby Cake

Kirby’s Dream Ricotta Pancake

Whispy Woods Blessed Tart

Elfilin’s Twinkle☆Frozen Drink

The Winter 2022 menu offers a variety of adorable and tasty menu items featuring Kirby and his friends all dressed up for the colder months. From a burger and pasta set to piping hot stew and fluffy ricotta pancakes, there’s sure to be something for every taste. 

The Carby cake, inspired by Kirby’s special transformation in the recent game Kirby and the Forgotten Land, has been reimagined in a winter version. Fans won’t want to miss out!

This winter, come enjoy plenty of Kirby-inspired treats while you can!

©Nintendo / HAL Laboratory, Inc.

Mister Donut has revealed its annual Pokemon Christmas collaboration. This marks the 5th year that the popular sweets chain is teaming up with the legendary franchise, and starting on November 9, fans can find themed sweets and merchandise for a limited time. 

Pikachu Snowman Donut

Christmas Collection Donut Set

New to the lineup in 2022 is the Pikachu Snowman Donut. This will be sold alongside the always-popular standard Pikachu Donut which will be sold in a cute Christmas sleeve. Customers can also look forward to the sleepy Pikachu Donut and the fluffy Jigglypuff Donut this holiday season.

Mister Donut Blanket (White)

Mister Donut Glasses (Set of 2)

The Christmas Set will include the Mister Donut Pokemon Blanket, which is available in two patterns, as well as a pair of Pokemon glasses. Fans are sure to enjoy these new illustrations of Pikachu and Jigglypuff made exclusively for the collaboration. 

Pikachu Donut

The popular Pikachu Donut is back! The fluffy yeast pastry is filled with whipped cream with a pudding flavor and chocolate coating. 

Pikachu Snowman Donut

Also filled with whipped cream, the Pikachu Snowman Donut is coated with white chocolate.

Be sure to check out this exclusive collection of sweets and goods before they’re gone!

©2022 Pokémon. ©1995-2022 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.

ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です。
Nintendo Switchのロゴ・Nintendo Switchは任天堂の商標です。

Pokemon and Original Inc. are back with some new Pokemon Shirts in collaboration with the popular visual artist Yu Nagaba! Customers can head onto the official Pokemon Shirts website now to grab one of these cute new Pikachu-inspired designs. 

The apparel brand Original Stitch was created by an engineer working in Silicon Valley who wanted to make it easier to shop for clothes. After launching a test service in 2013 and establishing the brand’s parent company, Original Inc., in 2015, the company began developing its custom shirt service. Those buying from the site can customize every detail of their shirt and order in as little as five minutes. These shirts are carefully tailored by craftsmen at a factory in Japan.

Two New Designs Made in Collaboration with Popular Artist Yu Nagaba

Two printed patterns and one unique embroidery have been added to the collection for a limited time. Yu Nagaba’s designs can be used to cover entire shirts or can be used as accents on collars and sleeves. Customers can even use the embroidery on a plain shirt to make something more subtle. 

Yu Nagaba’s casual depiction of Pikachu shows why his art is so beloved. Silly and subtle, both Pokemon fans and fans of Nagaba’s art are welcome to snag one of these shirts before they’re gone. Check out the website for more details.

Pattern: Yu Nagaba (White)

Pattern: Yu Nagaba (Black)

Embroidery: Pikachu (Yu Nagaba)

From November 11, 2022 until August 2023, Izu Granpal Park in Shizuoka Prefecture will host the 8th Izu Kogen Grand Illumination event!

The Izu Kogen Grand Illumination was ranked #1 in the Walker+National Illumination Ranking for six consecutive years and is beloved by visitors of all ages. This isn’t just a collection of pretty lights–the Grand Illumination also includes a number of hands-on experiences for everyone to enjoy.

In 2021, the event won first place in the Ninth Illumination Awards for the second year in a row. Known as Japan’s first ‘hands-on illumination experience,’ the park has continued to evolve year after year, adding more attractions and finding its unique style. These attractions include a zip line through the lights, Dinosaur Go-Karts, and more.

This year, the Flower Lantern Area and Sweets Lantern Area have been completely redesigned and upgraded to be even more three-dimensional and colorful. Come enjoy this incredible world of lights and have some fun with the whole family!

From November 17 until December 25, Tokyo Midtown will hold the popular Midtown Christmas event for 2022!

Adults and children are sure to love this massive Christmas event. Each year, a massive Christmas tree appears in Tokyo Midtown, but this year’s festivities will also throw some more unique pieces of art into the mix.

This year, visitors will see golden lights on the city’s trees, as well as a pop-up Christmas tree inspired by party poppers. Lights and music will join together to make guests feel as though they’ve walked into an outdoor theater, and the popular ice skating rink will once again be open for everyone to enjoy. Why not enjoy the Christmas season in Tokyo’s shimmering midtown?

Bubbles Fill the Air for a Limited Time at the Christmas Story Lights

A Massive Dome Filled with 300 Lights Invites Visitors to Celebrate the Season

Hands-on Experiences at the Party Popper Tree

From November 11 until December 25, 2022, Roppongi Hills Christmas will cover Tokyo in glittering lights once again. The Keyakizaka Lights, one of Tokyo’s most popular winter attractions, will also take place in 2022, with the 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street covered in over 800,000 blue and white LED lights.

For the first time in three years, the Mohri Garden will be covered in lights as well. The annual Christmas market will invite guests to experience an authentic German Christmas, and Christmas cakes and gourmet food unique to Roppongi Hills will be for sale. 

The Roppongi Hills Christmas event utilizes LED lights and has done so since the first event was held in 2003. Clean power will be used again this year, and the lights will be switched on from 5 PM until 11 PM each night.