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

Starbucks will open the first Starbucks Tea & Cafe location in Kyushu at AMU Plaza Hakata on April 27, 2022. This spin-off shop specializes in colorful, aromatic tea-based beverages, and has locations in Tokyo, Toyama, and Osaka. 

Starbucks Coffee AMU Plaza Hakata, the first Starbucks Tea & Cafe to open in the Kyushu area, is a new store on the second floor of Amu Plaza Hakata directly connected to JR Hakata Station.

Yuzu & Citrus Lavender Sage Tea / Japanese Chai Tea Latte / Strawberry & Passion Tea Frappucino®

Starbucks Tea & Cafe will offer a lineup of 13 types of tea-based beverages, including tea lattes and tea frappuccinos made with seasonal ingredients. The Japanese Chai Tea Latte is new this season and includes hojicha with spices like yuzu peel, ginger, Japanese pepper, and cinnamon. 

Come enjoy this cozy space and enjoy a warm cup of tea at this unique Starbucks where tea is the main attraction!

As part of the ‘Chocolate Me’ event, Godiva Cafe is now offering a variety of Valentine’s Day items until March 15, 2022. The first 300 customers to spend ¥2,000 yen or more (including tax) during the event period will receive an original mini tote bag as a gift!

Godiva White Chocolate Strawberry Maritozzo

Godiva Chocolate Strawberry (White/Dark)

Chocolate Fondant

Whole Fruit Cacao Hot Chocolat (Valentine’s Version)

Godiva Cafe Limited Edition Valentine’s Item

Alto Luna / Antonieta Maragogype Coffee Beans (Original Bottle Designs)

In addition to last year’s popular chocolate strawberries, this year’s chocolate fondant chocolate will only be available for Valentine’s Day. The whole fruit cacao hot chocolate, currently available as a seasonal beverage, will feature a special heart topping, and two types of bottled coffee beans will be on sale! 

Which item would you want to share with your sweetheart?

The British claymation series Shaun the Sheep is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2022. With Valentine’s Day almost here, the Shaun the Sheep Cafe in Tokyo will be offering a selection of limited-time Valentine’s treats perfect for enjoying with your sweetheart. 

Baby Shaun’s Chocolate Cake & Drink Set

Penne with Cream Sauce & French Toast

Shaun’s Crazy Waffle & Banana Milk

Workshop

New Goods

Valentine’s Recipe

How to Make a Shaun the Sheep Brownie Bar

How to Make a Large Shaun Cocoa Roll Cake

Located in Kichijoji PARCO, the Shaun the Sheep Cafe with Sunday Brunch is a permanent location initially opened to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the series.

The cafe offers plates inspired by Shaun’s world travels and seasonal offerings. Each month, the cafe hosts a sweets workshop to teach fans how to create Shaun-inspired goodies! These events are a blast with family and friends, and the February workshop will be teaching how to make Valentine’s cookies.

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

From January 19 until February 15, gelato pique cafe is selling four chocolate-based treats for Valentine’s Day! The theme of this new menu is ‘Melt,’ and guests are asked to enjoy the richness of melting chocolate during this sweet season.

 Fondant Chocolat Crepe (Dine-in: ¥980 / Take-out: ¥970)

This crepe is topped with chocolate fondant that melts into a warm chocolate sauce inside. The chocolate whipped cream is combined with Royal Bourbon gelato, accented with blackberry and black currant sauce, and a bit of crunchiness from the cookie bits.

Chocolate Crepe (Dine-in: ¥980 / Take-out: ¥970)

This mouth-watering crepe includes plenty of whipped cream and a luxurious fresh chocolate sauce topping. Inside, dark chocolate gelato is mixed with cocoa-flavored chocolate whipped cream. 

Hot Chocolate Chai (Dine-in: ¥640 / Take-out: ¥630)

This hot chocolate is a variation of the popular chai beverage. White chocolate is combined with Assam tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves for that perfect chai flavor. The sweetness of the hot chocolate is enhanced by the rich spices, giving it a more mature flavor!

Hot Dark Chocolate (Dine-in: ¥640 / Take-out: ¥630)

Extra dark chocolate is only enhanced with a roasted flavor creating a less sweet hot chocolate beverage. Available toppings are less sweet whipped cream, milk chocolate, and chocolate sauce.

Mister Donut has unveiled three new donuts as part of the ‘misdo meets Wittamer Heart Donut Collection!’ These will be available nationwide for a limited time only and were developed alongside the royal Belgian patisserie brand Wittamer. 

Rouge Heart

Noir Heart

Blanche Heart

These heart-shaped treats are a new take on Wittamer’s popular Coeur Lait donuts including crunchy pralines. The Rouge Heart donut is made with dough that will remind guests of a Belgian waffle. The Noir Heart contains macadamia nuts and almonds, and the Blanche Heart is accented with blueberry jam. 

Which do you think looks the tastiest?

Online cake site ‘Cake with’ is now accepting orders for two limited edition Valentine’s Day cakes until February 14, 2022. Which of these gorgeous sweets will best convey your love to that special someone?

Cake with “Valentine Heart Red”

Cake with “Valentine Heart Black”

JACK IN THE DONUTS has released a collection of cute sweets as Valentine’s Day exclusives, including special European donuts and a very creative Teddy Bear donut. 

Kuma3da-pon

European Donut Series

Be sure to grab one of these sweet teddy bear donuts to give to the person you love. This collection features a variety of chocolate flavors and is sure to fill both your heart and your stomach!

Sanrio Puroland’s online performance VIVA LA VALENTINE was first aired in February 2021. The event trended on Twitter and was incredibly popular, with many celebrities also speaking up about how much they loved the show. Due to popular demand, the event will be restreamed from February 5 to February 14 on the ZA streaming platform. Fans can watch the performance as many times as they like from the end of the performance until 20:00 the next day.

In addition, a screening will also be held at Sanrio Puroland on February 13. Archived footage from last year’s VIVA LA VALENTINE will be screened, as well as a live performance featuring characters performing to original music composed by Sayonara Ponytail, ZoZhit (Dos Monos), Kroi, and Tomggg. There will also be a grand send-off by characters and actors in VIVA LA VALENTINE costumes, so don’t miss taking some great photos!

© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN 　著作 株式会社サンリオ

Western confectionery brand Meine Rollen has begun selling a collection of Pokemon-themed Valentine’s day goods for 2022! Although some of these chocolates look too cute to eat, they’ll certainly earn top marks with your crush.

Chocolate Set L (Pokemon)

Sleeping Pikachu Pack (Pokemon)

Eevee & Friends Pack (Pokemon)

Last year’s designs focused on characters from Pokemon Red, Green, Blue, Gold, and Silver, released between 1996 and 1999. This year’s imagery was inspired by all games in the series, appealing to an even larger audience. Which design do you like the most?

Roomwear brand gelato pique has released a series of new Valentine’s Day loungewear featuring adorable heart motifs. These items are available at participating stores nationwide and at gelato pique’s official online store.

Item Lineup

‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Cardigan / ‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Shorts

 ‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Dress / ‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Hairband / ‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Socks

Heart Chocolate Print Shirt / Heart Chocolate Print Pants

Heart Pouch

Heart Chocolate Print Vanity Pouch / Heart Chocolate Print Pouch

Heart Print Hand Towel

 ‘Souffle’ Heart Aran Parker *Online store only

The gelato pique Valentine’s Day Collection is made with soft materials and features lovey-dovey motifs. This season, the lineup centers on heart-shaped Aran knitwear and satin sprinkled with assorted chocolates.