The upcoming anime adaptation and live-action film versions of Insomniacs After School have been a hot topic since both projects were announced. Ahead of the anime’s premiere on TV Tokyo in April, a themed train will begin running on the Noto Railway line in Nanao City, the setting for the series.

The train design has been unveiled and features beautiful Nanao scenery from the anime series along with the starry sky and the main characters.

Fans can find the train running between Nanao Station and Anamizu Station in Spring 2023. Check the schedule on the Noto Railway official website for more information.

Insomniacs After School (Trailer #2)

Makoto Ojiro’s coming-of-age manga series is set in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It follows Ganta Nakami, a high school boy suffering from insomnia, and Isaki Magari, a girl with the same problem.

Insomniacs After School is only two months away. Will you be tuning in?

©オジロマコト・小学館／アニメ「君ソム」製作委員会

The Mine City Tourism Association has announced a Christmas & Valentine’s Day event at Akiyoshido Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Japan. The event will see the natural wonder illuminated by a number of colorful lights. The Christmas event will run from December 21 to 25, 2022, while the Valentine’s Day event will run from February 10 to 14, 2023.

Akiyoshido Cave is one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s most popular tourist attractions. The interior will be decorated with colorful lights and unique soundscapes, creating a once-in-a-lifetime setting for visitors. These illuminations and sounds were directed by world-renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii, known for her work on Tokyo Tower and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.

Godiva Japan has announced an exclusive collaboration with Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Valentine’s Day 2023! Products in the collection will be available in limited quantities and for a limited time starting January 6, 2023 at Godiva stores nationwide, Godiva Online, the Godiva cafe, and convenience stores nationwide.

Fans of chocolate and this beloved Nintendo Switch title can find unique assortments of tasty treats decorated with images of different characters and logos from the Nintendo Switch game. Certain bundles also come with an original pouch, and some assortments are only available at certain locations or at convenience stores nationwide. A total of six items will be available.

These products will also be sold in an original collaboration-only box depicting Godiva’s 2023 Valentine’s Day collection theme, a merry-go-round, and characters from the game.

~Godiva meets Animal Crossing~

Heart

Leaf Symbol

Chocolate with Game Logo

Tom Nook

Timmy and Tommy

Isabelle

Dom

Marshall

Rosie

Godiva meets Animal Crossing Assortment (6 pieces)

Godiva meets Animal Crossing Assortment (6 pieces) with Original Pouch

Godiva meets Animal Crossing Assortment (9 pieces)

Godiva meets Animal Crossing Assortment (9 pieces) (Events Only)

Tom Nook

Isabelle

Timmy & Tommy

Chocolate with Game Logo

Godiva meets Animal Crossing Assortment (4 Pieces) *Convenience Store Exclusive

Godiva meets Animal Crossing G Chocolate Assortment & Tin (7 pieces)

©2020 Nintendo

NAKED’s newest work, inspired by Sen no Rikyu, has opened at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa! The exhibition will run through September 3 and blends physical art pieces found in the museum with the Metaverse. 

NAKED’s first exhibition at this popular Kanazawa Museum brings visitors a modern version of chanoyu, or the ‘Way of Tea.’ This year marks the 500th birthday of Sen no Rikyu, a historical figure who had a significant influence on the tea ceremony still found in Japan today. NAKED wants to honor his contribution to shaping this massive part of Japanese culture. Visitors are invited to a traditional tea ceremony room, but the experience itself has been modernized by NAKED. This unprecedented art exhibition allows both those who know nothing about Sen no Rikyu and those who know him well to experience his philosophy and aesthetics in an entirely new way.

Gate: Greetings from the Master

Open-air: The Crossroads of this Transient World

Wash Basin: Where the Four Seasons Float

Dry Landscape Garden: The Teachings of Rikyu

Tea Whisk: “Make a Good Tea for your Guest.”

Hanging Scroll: The Master’s Memories

Small Room: Evolution

Tearoom: The End and the Beginning

NAKED Fuji Canele

Tsukubai, or a low stone basin filled with water, is used to cleanse the hands before entering a tearoom. Using interactive art, the water’s surface is covered in digital flowers that blossom when a guest’s hands pass over the basin. 

In the ‘Small Room: Evolution’ area, guests will find the Sustainable Contemporary Golden Tearoom, which was created by NAKED staff together with sixth graders using golden trash collected at Kanazawa University Elementary School. The calligraphy on display in the tearoom was also done by children, with the best creations selected to be included in the exhibition. The scent was produced by EarthRing, an aroma brand located in Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture. The ‘Tea Whisk’ area offers a unique experience for all five senses, including the scent of matcha, which guests can smell when they mimic the act of prepping tea. 

In addition, guests can purchase special NAKED Fuji Canele and a Kutani ware Original Tumbler with special tea-inspired motifs. The Canele is a triple collaboration with Fukumitsuya, the oldest sake brewery in Kanazawa, so don’t miss out!

In 2023, an anime adaptation of the manga series Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia will air on television. During the Nanao Port Festival held on July 17 in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, fans were treated to tons of artwork and collaboration visuals. After all, the series takes place in Nanao City! Over 1,500 flyers for the show were handed out in under two hours, and the local community was thrilled to know that such a popular anime series would bring more attention to the town.

As part of the collaboration between Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia and Nanao City, an exhibition will be held featuring 30 reproductions from the original manga manuscript and some original anime drawings!

The exhibition will be held from August 10 until September 25 at Patria, located directly in front of Nanao Station and prominently featured in the series. Admission is free and reservations are not required, so fans should consider coming to check it out!

Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia is the latest work by Makoto Ojiro. Set in Nanao City, the coming-of-age story follows Ganta Nakami, a high school boy suffering from insomnia, and Isaki Magari, a girl with the same issue. The manga is serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits.

Kimi wa Hokago Insomnia will receive an anime adaptation in 2023, and a live-action film is also in the works. The first trailer for the anime series has been released, so be sure to give it a watch!

©オジロマコト・小学館／アニメ「君ソム」製作委員会

English VTuber group NIJISANJI EN will appear in a collection of spring goods! The Sakura Bloom Goods & Voice 2022 lineup will be available to purchase at the NIJISANJI EN Official Store on April 22 and at the NIJISANJI Official Store on April 27, 2022.

This collection will see the first items inspired by the male VTuber unit Noctyx. In addition, fans can grab goods featuring new illustrations featuring members of Luxiem and Elira Pendora, Selen Tatsuki, and Nina Kosaka.

Sakura Bloom Goods 2022

Clear Folder (Set of 3)

Acrylic Keychain

Pin (Random)

Sakura Bloom Voice 2022

The new lineup includes a clear file set, acrylic keychains, and pins, all completely made to order. 

For Sakura Bloom Voice 2022, 19 NIJISANJI members will participate to bring fans a relaxed spring chat, making it feel as if you were out enjoying the weather with some of your favorite VTubers. Each voice product also includes a special smartphone wallpaper!

Sakura Bloom Voice 2022 Participants

Pomu Rainpuff, Elira Pendora, Finana Ryugu, Selen Tatsuki, Rosemi Lovelock, Petra Gurin, Reimu Endou, Nina Kosaka, Enna Alouette, Ike Eveland, Luca Kaneshiro, Mysta Rias, Shu Yamino, Vox Akuma, Yugo Asuma, Sonny Brisko, Fulgur Ovid, Alban Knox, Uki Violeta

*Sakura Bloom Voice 2022 may be made available again in the future.

Hibiya Hayashiya Shinbei in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya is now offering a scrumptious Strawberry Matcha Parfait until April 24, 2022! If that’s not up your alley, four Kyo Hayashiya locations in Shinjuku, Omiya, Yokohama, and Ikebukuro will begin offering a Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait from April 1 until May 8, 2022. 

Strawberry Matcha Parfait

The Strawberry Matcha Parfait is an eye-catching mix of green and pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms and bright green grass. Green tea blends with rose jelly and lychee sorbet, offering a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness. The sweet accent of crunchy chocolate feuillantine gives each bite a little kick.

Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait

The Matcha and Berry Mascarpone Parfait mixes the deep, bitter taste of Uji matcha, the sweet and sour taste of berries, and the gentle sweetness of mascarpone cream. The berry sauce is blended with crunchy chocolate feuillantine, a layer of whipped cream, green tea jelly, green tea ice cream, and milk panna cotta. To finish, it’s garnished with refreshing raspberry sorbet, bittersweet matcha ice cream, and fresh strawberries.

Adventure World, located in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, has opened its 2022 Spring Festival until April 10, 2022. The event includes a limited-time picnic menu inspired by adorable animals, with desserts made using fresh local fruits. 

Picnic Offerings

Kannonyama Fruits Garden Collaboration Menu

Adventure World Original Menu

From March 16 until April 20, Maison Marunouchi at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo At Marunouchi will offer a special spring-only cherry blossom afternoon tea set!

The restaurant’s head chef, Daniel Calvert, is also the executive chef of the French restaurant Sezanne, which was listed in the Michelin Guide last year. Starting in mid-March, visitors can enjoy a variety of cherry blossom-themed sweets created by executive pastry chef Elwin Boyles.

Covered in bright marzipan, the Princess cake was created by Boyles by combining the image of a princess cake, a Swedish cake traditionally eaten on special occasions, and the image of cherry blossoms, which symbolize the coming of spring and new beginnings.

The Pink Gateau Opera combines the image of cherry blossoms with green tea buttercream and almond cream. The Sakura Choux Bombe combines the sweetness of cherry cream and sour lime juice, while the Preserved Sakura Macaron will serve as the perfect Instagram photo. 

Cafe and gift shop Disney Harvest Market in Shibuya, Tokyo, has introduced a limited-time spring menu featuring Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck! With the theme of ‘Hello, Spring,’ the tasty and fresh new items were added on March 8, 2022.

Menu

Spring in Full Bloom! Afternoon Tea Set

Colorful Temari & Bite-sized Sushi Plate

Pinkish Strawberry Amazake Float (Non-alcoholic) / Floral Lilac Honey Lemonade

Merchandise

Original Minnie Mouse & Daisy Duck Mug

Spring Limited-edition Colored Paper

With themed dishes colored pink and purple, guests can enjoy sushi rolls, oatmeal pancakes with green tea bean paste, cherry blossom-colored yogurt, and more! Afternoon tea sets and non-alcoholic drinks will allow everyone to welcome spring in style, and new merchandise will also be available in limited quantities. 

Tohouen, a Japanese confectionary maker in Gifu Prefecture, has begun selling a springtime version of its popular cat-inspired manju. Inspired by the many cats that like to stroll around the shop’s headquarters, the new release includes cherry blossom-colored cat paws. 

A traditional sweet in Japan, Manju is made from flour, rice powder, and buckwheat, with a tasty sugar and anko (red bean paste) filling.

Do you think these are too cute to eat? 

On February 25, TAVOLA TAVOLA by ZILLION opened at Hotel InterContinental Tokyo Bay. The restaurant offers courses featuring seasonal ingredients while each round table is decorated to suit a certain theme.

‘Tavola’ means ‘table’ in Italian, with the restaurant’s concept being to enjoy Italian cuisine with friends around a large round table. Three entertainment options will be available to create the best possible memories for guests.

Large Round Table Decorated with Cherry Blossoms

Dinner Course

Hors d’oeuvres

Pasta

Fish Main Course

Risotto

The first theme is ‘cherry blossoms,’ which is fitting for the soon-to-be spring season. Artful flowers are arranged in the center of each table to set the scene, and guests will enjoy a blend of authentic Italian cuisine and Japanese style. The main course features grilled Spanish mackerel and a cherry blossom-colored cream sauce, as well as an Italian veal filet and prosciutto. At the end of the meal, guests will enjoy a risotto made with seasonal strawberries and a cherry and berry ice cake!