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

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Yamanashi Sannichi Newspaper & Sannichi YBS Group, teamLab will hold a special illuminated art event on the shore of Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture from October 28 until November 13, 2022. Guests will be able to enjoy the Sunset Shore Autumn Leaves Festival at the same time, and at the same venue.

Autonomous Resonating Life – teamLab ©teamLab

Sketch Aquarium – teamLab ©teamLab

The works on display will be Autonomous Resonating Life and the Sketch Aquarium. In Autonomous Resonating Life, guests will wander along the shore, passing by massive colorful and glowing ovoids being pushed and pulled by the wind. When there is no wind, and when no one is touching the ovoids, they will begin to slowly blink.

The Sketch Aquarium invites visitors to color a drawing of a sea creature. Once finished, these creations will come to life in a giant virtual aquarium, swimming together with other creations. Visitors can touch the fish to see them swim away, or can touch a virtual food bag to feed them!

Yamanashi’s Fuji Motosuko Resort is home to the yearly Fuji Shibazakura Festival, one of the most popular spring flower events in Jaapn. From July 16 until October 10, 2022, guests will also be able to enjoy the Rainbow Flower Festival, with over 80,000 blooms decorating the land around Mount Fuji. 

From Left: Coneflowers, Common Zinnia, Begonia, Ageratum

From Left: Scarlet Sage (Sirius), Scarlet Sage (Bonfire), Scarlet Sage (Deep Blue), Coleus

The theme for the inaugural event is ‘Seven Colors of Mount Fuji.’ Visitors will be able to take incredible pictures, with a variety of blooms springing from the Earth in seven beautiful colors. Whether you love begonias or zinnias, you won’t want to miss this one. 

The venue will also feature photo spots that will be perfect for social media, from a rainbow circle bench to the ‘Yellow Door of Happiness.’ A campaign will also be held to choose the best photos of the event posted to Instagram.

Koppe-pan (with Yamanashi Peach Butter and Whipped Cream) / Lava Fried Tofu / Bellflower Mochi Ice Cream / Jewel Soda

A unique food menu featuring everything from lava-shaped fried tofu to fluffy bread with local peach butter will appear at the event.

*Sample image.

Pictures aren’t the only thing you’ll leave with–a selection of souvenirs will be on sale, including ‘Stick Jelly’ made with five types of local fruit puree. These will only be available at the event, so come have a wonderful time visiting Mount Fuji this summer!

The globally popular slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ.

Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies, and the series has helped people around the world destress. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021. An animated film will arrive in theaters on July 1, 2022.

The series has announced a collaboration with Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, which are both depicted in the work, as well as JR Central. The ‘Laid-Back Camp Dramatic Puzzle Solving Game: Two Treasure Maps and a Trip Down Memory Lane’ event will run from July 1 until August 31, 2022. The Rin Route will begin in Kofu and the Nadeshiko Route will start in Shizuoka. Participants will receive a small gift for completing each route.

In conjunction with the event, JR Central will sell special Laid-Back Camp one-day round-trip tickets, and a collaboration train will be decorated with illustrations from the series.

The poster for the event shows new illustrations of Rin and Nadeshiko made by Green House, the illustrators behind Bikkuriman. These illustrations will also appear on a variety of original goods!

When Japan opens again, how would you like to journey through these beautiful areas?

©あfろ・芳文社／野外活動委員会

Mizu to Takumi, a company associated with the Toyama West Tourism Promotion Association, has teamed up with SKYTREK to offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the area via private jet. Reservations for the incredible experience began on June 17, 2022.

Offering an entirely new tourism experience in Toyama Prefecture, visitors can see the area’s natural wonders from miles above the Earth. The program also aims to share local culture and more about traditional craftsmanship and cuisine.

Toyama Prefecture boasts dramatic topography, from the massive peaks of the Northern Alps and the Tateyama Mountains to the deep waters of Toyama Bay. To better allow visitors to see the sights, these private jet tours will be chartered on special courses different from standard airlines.

After the flights, guests will be welcomed to explore Takaoka’s deep history and culture. Kane no Sanzun, a restored and preserved inn, will welcome visitors, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating time.

Visitors can also book optional excursions to further explore the area, such as a Zen meditation experience at a famous temple in Takaoka, a traditional crafting workshop, and a tour and tasting of the only whiskey distillery in the Hokuriku region.

Come enjoy a trip to Toyama with a whole new perspective!

Airbnb boasts one of the largest travel communities in the world, filled with users offering up lodging and those eager to visit somewhere new. The Japanese subsidiary of the company has revealed the top spots added to Japanese users ‘Favorites (Wish Lists)’ from May 1 to May 17, 2022. Where will travelers in the country be headed this summer?

Golden Week is long gone and users are starting to think about where to visit during the hottest part of the year. This national ‘Wish List’ might make it easier to pick a spot, with many locations highlighting lesser-known areas!

Gujo Hachiman Villa, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Gifu)

This completely private rental villa was made for sauna enthusiasts. One lucky pair per day can book this suite along the Yoshida River flowing through Gujo Hachiman, known as the “City of Water and Dance.” Currently booked through the end of August, reservations for September and beyond will be available in early June. Book a stay to enjoy the gorgeous autumn foliage!

A House Surrounded by Lush Greenery in the Countryside (Tottori)

Hosted by a family of musicians and architects, this guesthouse invites guests to enjoy gorgeous Nordic-inspired interiors and the serene quiet of the countryside. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect spot.

Hoshina Satomachi, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Nagano)

There’s nothing like spending the summer in a traditional Japanese home. Enjoy a barbeque on the terrace and relax on the massive lawn. This is the perfect spot for families with children or pets!

Coastal Cabin (Chiba)

You can’t have summer without a pool. This luxurious coastal retreat boasts a 15-meter pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, bonfire space, and a barbeque. Relax by the pool while listening to your favorite songs or soak in the outdoor bath as you watch the waves crash along the shore.

An Elegant and Peaceful Log Cabin (Nagano)

Located at 1,300 meters above sea level on the Iizuna plateau, this log cabin is situated in the midst of a dense forest. A perfect space for couples, families, or small groups of friends, guests are welcome to enjoy hiking through this gorgeous landscape in the center of Japan!

JR Tokai Tours has released a new travel plan for fans of Laid-Back Camp Season 2, which aired from January to March 2021. The tour will take place in the Izu area, which was heavily featured in episodes 10, 11, and 12. Guests can enjoy a travel plan with single lodging and original goods starting May 23 until June 29, 2022.

Original Stickers

The slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ.

Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The series is based on the author Afro’s personal experiences and interviews, and since serialization in 2015, the series has attracted fans from around the world. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021.

Four years after it was announced in 2018, a Laid-Back Camp animated film will arrive in theaters this summer.

Le Cafe de Joel Robuchon, located inside Niponbashi Takashimaya, is now offering a special menu in collaboration with the French children’s book characters Gaspard and Lisa! These items will be available until May 31, 2022.

Collaboration Menu

Gaspard and Lisa Plate

Strawberry Galette with Gaspard and Lisa (Served with coffee or tea)

Exclusive Merchandise

Original Pouch

Coaster

Visitors can enjoy a Gaspard and Lisa plate complete with two adorable mini-burgers served with fries and strawberry panna cotta. Those wanting a dessert can grab a buckwheat flour galette covered in strawberries!

The location will be decorated with Paris-themed illustrations from the Gaspard and Lisa picture books during the collaboration, and customers will receive an original pouch and limited edition coaster as order bonuses. Be sure not to miss this little slice of France in Tokyo! 

©2022 Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben / Hachette Livre

The EMOCAL project aims to support small-town areas of Japan. As a new initiative in the project, specific soundscapes only found in certain areas of the country have been combined with music to create some unique tracks. A selection of musical artists have collaborated with the project to bring these songs to life!

EMOCAL was created by ZOWA’s original label, CatchyStuck. The project supports local regions and communities by using ASMR soundscape videos recorded in each region to convey their particular charms to all of Japan. The sounds recorded in each place are considered to be very valuable and are intended to serve two purposes: to bring tourism back after the pandemic and to provide fans of ASMR a way to experience these areas from afar.

Check out each of these unique ambient tracks created by four up-and-coming musicians! Each song is available on viviON’s ASMR platform ZOWA and on Spotify.

Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture / Ikkyuu x Hige Driver, I Love Ikkyuu

Beard Driver created this ambient track with sounds recorded inside of Ikkyuu, a ramen shop.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20019
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1RP4RcpJwMrFzoYQbnfDYm?si=f1f1e816adb14db0

Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture / Miyuki no Hama x Powerless, Seiren

Powerless created this track, inspired by the sounds of waves crashing at Miyuki no Hama, a seaside recreation area 20 minutes from Odawara Station.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20016
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5DkQ9FeM7jQBacUf7Nbuxc?si=c7d771e73ddd44b6

Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture / Wasabi Field x baker, On the silent hill

Utogi in Shizuoka city is surrounded by incredible nature. Known as the birthplace of wasabi cultivation, baker used sounds recorded in the area to create this ambient track.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20017
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0oIU4x7MjVKmpouRwEPaXZ?si=04dcb805cea540b7

Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture / Cape Tara x SeA0, Akushu

Cape Tara is a popular spot featuring an 800-meter-long sandbar at low tide. The sounds captured here were used by artist SeA0, and this track is sure to make you miss the water.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20018
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1Utz5j0oB4GmSDOMVdUcXU?si=eafa1949b3ea44d0

The Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Yamanashi Prefecture will be holding a celebratory exhibition in honor of the location’s 15th anniversary from May 14, 2022 until May 7, 2023.

In April 2007, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection opened in Kobuchisawa, located at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake. The only museum in the world dedicated entirely to New York-based artist Keith Haring, Kazuo Nakamura collected the works and acts as the director of the museum. Over 300 works of art are on display along with 500 other pieces, from photographs and videos to merchandise. The new exhibition features approximately 150 works.

Three Lithographs (People Ladder), 1985

Icons (Radiant Baby), 1990

Untitled, 1984

Untitled, 1988

Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1981-1983

The ‘Chaos and Hope’ exhibition was originally held during the museum’s first year of operation and looks back at Haring’s first experiences in New York City in 1978. The artist was present at the dawn of the hip-hop movement and was struck by the clash between typical white art and underground minority artists. In only five years, Haring rose to stardom. Sadly, while traveling the world, he contracted AIDS, passing away at the age of 31. Behind the bright and cheerful artwork he left behind, he hid his inner suffering and desire for hope and freedom.

All Keith Haring Artwork ©Keith Haring Foundation
Courtesy of Nakamura Keith Haring Collection.

Fuji-Q Highland will hold a special collaborative event with the popular smartphone game ‘BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!’ from April 29 until June 29, 2022!’ This is the fifth time the two have teamed up, and seven popular characters are being shown in new illustrations, each representing a particular attraction. Announcements made at the park will be made by characters from the mobile title, and guests can enjoy menu items and merchandise exclusive to the event.

The highlight of this year’s event is the Smartphone Stamp Rally, in which visitors can hear the voices of their favorite characters while exploring the spacious grounds. By scanning life-size panels of the members installed throughout the park with their smartphones, visitors can enjoy the stories of each of the seven members read in their own voices. A gift will be given to those who complete the challenge! 

An original rhythm game will be available for a limited time, and those who complete it and scan the QR code will snag an original collaboration wallpaper. Buses at the resort will also be wrapped in ‘BanG Dream!’ decorations.

 ©BanG Dream! Project　©Craft Egg Inc.　©bushiroad All Rights Reserved.

Peter Rabbit’s English Garden, one of the largest English-style gardens in the Tokyo metropolitan area, will open at Fuji Motosuko Resort on April 16, 2022.

Known for the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, an annual springtime cherry blossom event, Peter Rabbit’s Garden is opening at the resort at the perfect time. The garden will include over 300 varieties of plants, trees, and flowers, and visitors can enjoy a photogenic stroll with popular characters. An on-site cafe will offer a lineup of original items inspired by Beatrix Potter’s classic books, including a colorful afternoon tea set and ‘Flowery Latte’ with petals scattered on top. ‘Mr. McGregor’s Vegetable Garden Salad’ is also a light dish perfect for spring.

Cafe Menu

Take Out Menu

Cafe

Original Merchandise

Photo Spot

Shop & Gallery

Original Sticker

Guests can also enjoy a gallery highlighting moments from the Peter Rabbit picture books, from The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin to The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, both translated by novelist and poet Mieko Kawakami. The shop will offer original merchandise only available at Fuji Motosuko Resort, including keychains, sweets, and coffee cups. There’s something for adults and children alike, so fans of Peter Rabbit won’t want to miss it!

To commemorate the opening of the garden, a bus decorated with Peter Rabbit and friends will be in operation from April 4 until April 16. This passenger bus will bring visitors from Shinjuku, Yokohama, Shizuoka, and other locations, and those riding will get a special sticker as a bonus.

Come enjoy some time outdoors with Peter this spring!

BEATRIX POTTER(TM) & (C) Frederick Warne & Co.,2022