The world’s first store dedicated exclusively to ninjas will open inside Tokyo Tower in 2022.   It’s said that Japan’s top three tourist attractions are Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and ninja–but the latter has no dedicated location for visitors to enjoy. This shop will specialize in ninjas, for ninjas, by ninjas!   Ninja Tokyo Pro Shop will open on the second floor of Tokyo Tower, still one of Tokyo’s most popular attractions. With 22 years of experience, the company running the shop offers ninja-specific goods, armor, sweets, and more.  

Special Sanrio Characters are Back!

Sanrio Characters NINJA, an original brand first developed in 2016, will make a triumphant return! Original goods featuring new illustrations will be available at the store. The characters were first created to celebrate the Sanrio collaboration with the Ninja Cafe at NINJA KYOTO, but no new products in the series have been released since 2017.   The Ninja Tokyo Pro Shop will offer authentic armor that will satisfy not only domestic and international tourists but also ninja enthusiasts and cosplayers. Visitors can try on armor and enjoy a shuriken experience using the ‘Ninja Trainer’ as well! The store will include a large selection of original swords, bowls, and plenty of exclusive goods only available on site.   Be sure to visit in October 2022!

If you haven't heard of NINJA SKILL BALLERZ yet, you're in for a treat. They are a crew of five of the world's top level basketball players spreading a fascination of freestyle basketball to the world.   Their video NINJA x BASKETBALL? garnered over 1 million views on Facebook within just 10 days of its posting. One month after its release, they appeared on the Japanese television show Sukkiri where they held their first ever live television performance. The group are paving the way for the freestyle basketball culture, which in Japan isn't recognised enough and has few players. Now, the group have just dropped a new short movie which translates to "Ninja-Style Basketball Squad."

The video not only shows off the group's thrilling skills, but their performance also incorporates Japanese elements like the tsugaru shamisen and taiko drums which serve to make the show that much more captivating. Pay particular attention to three of the members: ZiNEZ, the Flow Ninja; ISSEI, the Spin Ninja; and TaMa, the Multi-Ball Ninja.

Japanese acrobat yo-yo performer Shu Takada took part in this year's World Yo-Yo Contest which took place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in Ohio from August 7-10. For the first time in his professional yo-yo career, Takada took home the win in the Art & Performance category. This marks his 6th world title acquisition. The theme of Takada's performance was "SHINOBI" which combined yo-yo tricks with acrobatics and ninja moves. His unique performance enthralled the audience and allowed him to take home the top award as well as the Artistic Award. No description could do his performance justice as he transformed into a cool yo-yo ninja, flipping his body and swinging his LED-equipped yo-yo like a shuriken. His outfit was provided by NINJA PROJECT, which mixed the iconic black ninja colour with a sporty look, turning it into his own awesome style.

No photography or filming was allowed at the event, but if you're wondering if ninja still exist in real life, then you'll want to check out the video above posted on Takada's YouTube channel, where he has plenty of other yo-yo related content too.

Looking for a fun day out with kids in Japan? LEGOLAND Japan is the perfect family day outing destination. At 1pm on July 1, the park celebrated the grand opening of the brand new area LEGO NINJAGO World. This is the first time this park has ever been expanded since opening in April 2017.   The opening ceremony featured special guests, including pop singer and actress Miki Shoji and approximately 70 students from Nagoya Shiritsu Inaei Elementary School. Miki Shoji, who also enjoys a trip to LEGOLAND from time to time, made the following comment at the ceremony:   "Whether you are a child or adult, the new LEGO NINJAGO World has many attractions such as the Flying NINJAGO that everyone can enjoy. This is the perfect place to have fun with your family this summer!"There were many other special events held on the day of the grand opening, such as a countdown. At one point, Miki Shoji and the children even took part in a shuriken-throwing event with seven NINJAGO characters. What a spectacular day it was! After the ceremony had finished, some of the students who were selected as representatives of their school were given the opportunity to be the first to ride the Flying NINJAGO.  LEGO NINJAGO World is the eighth area of LEGOLAND Japan and is a popular area in all Legolands across the world. From the moment the children step into the NINJAGO area, they will be immersed in an entirely new world. From the surroundings to the attractions and Ninja activities, they will learn a variety of essential ninja skills.   Whether you are a child or an adult, LEGOLAND Japan invites you to enjoy a ninja experience. ♪

LEGOLAND JAPAN is no doubt the perfect day trip for families with kids (and adults who still haven't grown up). 13:00 on Monday 1st July will be a very special moment for the park... as it will be celebrating the grand opening of LEGO NINJAGO World! This will be the first time the park has ever been extended since opening!Except Dubai, all countries/states in the world that are home to a LEGOLAND own a NINJAGO World too ー and they are so popular! Now, it's about time that the country of ninja actually gets a LEGO NINJAGO World! It will be the eighth area of the park. From the moment you enter, you will be immersed in a ninja world! Rise up to the challenges set by the activities and plunge into all the attractions to better your ninja skills!

Flying Ninjago

The new area is home to three new attractions.  The Flying Ninjago will be the first to catch your eye. This is a gigantic ride that adults and kids are bound to get a thrill out of! Two brand new rides called Lloyd's Spinjitzu Spinners and Kai Sky Master will have their world debut at LEGOLAND JAPAN!   Apart from the attractions, there's so much more fun stuff to do to immerse fully in the NINJAGO experience.

Jay's Lightning Drill

Cole's Rock Climb

Polish your fundamental ninja skills with Jay's Lightning Drill and Cole's Rock Climb. NINJAGO World also contains many new lego models. The largest in the area is the 4-metre tall Samurai robot lego model!

Spin Tower Burger Set【Brick House Burger】¥2,000 (price after tax)

Shuriken Pancake【Naruto Table】¥450 (price after tax)

To commemorate the birth of NINJAGO World, there are so many ninja-themed meals, treats and desserts being sold all over the new attraction area and throughout the theme park!   Challenge your ninja skills, enjoy the thrilling rides and indulge in the delicious ninja food at LEGO NINJAGO World!

JO-TERRACE OSAKA is a restaurant and shopping complex at Osaka Castle Park. On May 30, the facility is set to open Osaka Castle Shitamachi, a line of shops where you can experience all the great things from Osaka and the Kansai region from food to activities.   This traditional-modern fusion of Kansai-style establishments will make use of JO-TERRACE OSAKA's main space which covers 893m². Its concept is to be a "third place" of Japanese experiences. The term third place refers to public spaces like shops, cafes, clubs and so on―separate from the "first place" (the home) and "second place" (the workplace). In the lane of ramen shops, which take on a traditional-modern look, various kinds of ramen from across Japan will be served up to customers. Restaurants will include those that were first established in Kansai as well as the most popular restaurants in the ramen scene right now. Over at VR NINJA Yasuke you can feel what it's like to be a real ninja, VR-style. Aimed at foreign tourists, this service is available in English, Chinese and Korean. At WAHAKU you can tuck into some delicious and high quality wagyu beef and taste different brands of sake.   There are lots of other exciting things to look forward to as well, so if you're ever travelling to Osaka Castle be sure to pop in.