The Vino Buono Restaurant, located just across the street from the Aoyama St. Grace Cathedral, will offer a special blue-themed afternoon tea set from June 1 until July 31, 2022. The blue theme is meant to bring happiness, and guests will be able to enjoy treats inspired by the deep blue sea.

The summer lineup includes a grapefruit-flavored ocean jelly topped with meringue coral, lemon-flavored macaroons in the shape of pearl oysters, coconut mousse, a galette resembling a mussel, and other ocean blue and crashing wave white-colored sweets with coral and shell motifs. Seafood-infused savory treats such as smoked salmon sandwiches on croissants and seaweed salt french fries will also be served. Guests can also enjoy two types of scones as well as unlimited black and herbal tea.

An old European legend claims that women getting married in June will always be happy. During this wonderful wedding season, why not come enjoy a romantic afternoon tea experience?

Art collective NAKED is teaming up with Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras for a new version of the NAKED BIG BOOK. The new work is on display at LUMIX BASE TOKYO in Aoyama until May 29, 2022. 

LUMIX BASE TOKYO is a gallery inspired by the LUMIX brand of digital cameras. The location is meant to serve as a base for the next generation of creators and strives to bring tons of creative energy to those looking to hit it big as artists in the future. 

Naked and LUMIX have come together to make LUMIX BASE TOKYO not only a showroom but also a place where guests can experience creativity in a new way. The NAKED BIG BOOK,” the brand’s most famous work, has been decorated with seasonal flowers and will be exhibited for a limited time. 

NAKED BIG BOOK invites visitors to enter a storybook world with each turning page. The work uses projection mapping on a giant book sculpture to inspire audiences and wow guests with the wonders of technology. The book has appeared at FLOWERS BY NAKED and other locations throughout Japan in the past. 

The exhibition will also feature original artwork inspired by LUMIX’s marketing campaign for 2022, ‘COLORS OF LUMIX.’

For seven days only from January to April 2022, the Aoyama St. Grace Cathedral wedding hall will open its doors to those wanting their fill of Alice in Wonderland-inspired sweets! ‘Alice’s Tea Party’ will be an afternoon tea experience you’ll never forget, and reservations are required.

The limited-time-only afternoon tea will feature a variety of adorable sweets that look like they popped out of a picture book, from Berry and Pistachio Bunny Ears Mousse to the Queen’s Chandelier Butter Sandwich Cookies decorated like playing cards. Each sweet makes use of seasonal ingredients like strawberries, perfect with chocolate dips, petite tarts, and macaroons.

Luxury Italian brand FENDI is currently teamed up with the iconic Aoyama-based ANNIVERSAIRE CAFÉ OMOTESANDO to serve up a special Valentine’s Day themed menu at the cafe which it’s calling “FENDI CAFFE by ANNIVERSAIRE.”

Cake Set | ¥2,800 (Before Tax)

Tart Saison | ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

The cake set and tart saison are revamps of current menu items, now topped with in-season strawberries. The cafe has also been adorned with romantic red roses and multi-coloured decorations for this year’s Valentine’s Day.

Select shop LOVELESS has opened a pop-up store for Los Angeles native pottery maker Victoria Morris at their flagship store LOVELESS Aoyama in cooperation with Harajuku OS1 Gallery. It will run from December 5 to 10.

This is the first pop-up shop themed on flower vases to open at LOVELESS. To promote the shop, customers can pick up a limited-edition T-shirt featuring a photo of one of Victoria Morris works.

Additionally, those who purchase select products at the shop, or order a drink from the HADEN BOOKS cafe on the first floor of LOVELESS Aoyama, will receive an A2 poster featuring Morris’s pottery work. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Omotesando branch of VINO BUONO is now selling a special Aladdin-themed afternoon tea until September 1.

This luxurious tea set comes with a mix of light savoury food and desserts. But the savoury side of it isn’t your conventional assortment, instead coming with four different selections including tandoori chicken pitta bread sandwiches, a couscous and seafood salad, and more.

The scones contain sweet and fragrant rosemary honey which fill are sure to tickle your fancy.

The Pistachio Macarons and Arabian Night Blanc-Manger are glazed in a beautiful blue colour reminiscent of the world of Aladdin. And don’t forgot the cute Magic Lamp Cookie with its blue centre―it’s almost too good to eat!

Other delights include the Mango & Flower Verrine, Pyramid Mousse, and gorgeous tea that looks like it has had a spell cast on it.

Take your special someone to VINO BUONO this summer and show them the world with this limited-time Aladdin afternoon tea.

Rinko Murata loves all types of curry. In this edition of Tokyo Dinner, she invites the person she wants to meet up with the most to eat the curry she’s been wanting to eat the most.

This month’s notable restaurant she stopped by was HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE in Kōenji, Tokyo. Their curry portions are generous and are good for the stomach and satiety center. They serve a curry flavoured with Japanese dashi, or ‘stock.’

How do you spend your early afternoons when you have time off? Lounging around at home with quality time to yourself sounds like a good plan. Definitely appealing.

But this is a rare opportunity. How about going on a little adventure to try something you can get a kick out of because it’s midday and a weekday?

I know the perfect curry house for your hungry selves. HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE.

As the Japanese name suggests, it’s a curry that can only be eaten at lunchtime, a mysterious dish that doesn’t appear on regular days off.

I land in Kōenji, a place I love the most. Even though iKōenji is Kōenji, the closest station to the restaurant is Higashi-Kōenji Station.

My vision is filled with all kinds of sights.

It’s like being lost in a treasure chest.

This place is actually normally a café and goes by the name Schwarze Katze. It’s open mainly on Friday night, weekends and holidays. “HEIJITSU HIRU DAKE” runs in a rented room in the café and and is open when the café is. It’s kind of luxurious to have the chance to eat my favourite food (curry!) in a place like this.

My heart desires the Wadashi Soboro Curry (¥980) that I mentioned earlier. It also comes with self-service coffee for after your meal. For toppings you can choose whatever you like. Since I was there and didn’t want to get lost on what to pick, I went for all the toppings (¥300).

The water I ordered comes in a plastic bottle. The tables have antique displays. Everything on them was wonderful.

The air was clad in that rich, familiar scent of curry, a special one that I would never get to eat had I not come here.

The instant I hold the curry in my mouth the delicious flavour of the dashi sparks in my mouth like fireworks. The broth has a slight thickness to it and a strong, deep flavour that fades into a soft aftertaste on the tip of your tongue. It’s not at all spicy, and the goodness of the dashi is luxurious like being escorted by a gentleman. And I can’t forget the smell.

My taste buds throb at this new sensation.

Like its name suggests, this is a dish where the Japanese dashi stands out above the ingredient crowd. The restaurant owner has gathered much experience in the kitchen from traditional Japanese cuisine to sushi, ramen, yakiniku, izakaya style and so on. He encountered this place by chance, and with one look he said to himself, “I want to try doing curry.” The Wadashi Soboro Curry came about through his gained culinary experience combined with the aesthetics of the café.

To bring out the full flavour of the dashi so it isn’t drowned out by the curry spices, the owner uses two types of skipjack tuna, kombu, dark sleeper, and dried sea slug, as well as a type of soy sauce called Kaeshi. 15 more ingredients are blended together to create the spices, creating deep and delicate flavours.

Now it’s time for a session with the mountain of ingredients I greedily asked for. It’s enshrined with classics like meat soboro, beefsteak, agedama, bonito flakes, and dried plum in addition to pickled daikon radish, crushed natto, Japanese ginger, and okra. The spinach and onsen tamago egg sit at the foot of the mountain and create a new culinary sight.

The base of the dashi is mobilized with a force of Japanese ingredients with a smell and flavour and that comes together harmoniously in your mouth. I’m spellbound by the flavours that stand out coupled with the pleasant textures of the agedama, daikon and ginger.

Hey, I must have hit every ingredient in there. All correct.

I added a sprinkle of pepper that was on the table and create yet another refreshing aromatic veil.

The compatibility of the pepper with the dish works so well precisely because it uses a Japanese dashi. Wadashi, or Japanese broth, is a staple of Japanese cuisine. The curry and Japanese soul carved into this dish resonates with me. It’s my first time eating it, yet I’m still filled with a sort of nostalgia―a warm embrace.

I also understand why when the shop opens, the customers in the café stand up and change with the next line of customers. The owner has a wonderful sensitivity, and has worked out a way to put his own matchless warmth into each and every bowl. I caught sight of his gentle smile as he was cooking in the kitchen. It left an impression on me.

What a delicious curry to enjoy in such a wonderful place. All five of my senses have reached peak happiness. I grab my post-meal coffee and head onto the streets of Kōenji.

What a wonderful weekday afternoon.

Text:Rinko Murata
Photo:Kayo Sekiguchi
Edit:Miiki Sugita

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Healthy hamburger chain Jiyugaoka Burger opened its third branch in Aoyama on June 6.

The restaurant’s belief is that safe food that’s healthy for your body equals in a delicious meal. All of their burgers are handmade one by one. They make their own original patties and buns and strive to use as many fresh and organic domestic products as they can. The burgers shine through in their flavour which makes full use of the ingredients used.

Their original patties are handmade every morning out of 3 parts each with different coarseness. They ride on the strength of each part, and by altering the roughness, create a patty with a chewy texture that locks in the flavour of the meat and juice.

They are particular about their buns too. They have a winning texture that is irresistible even when you’re eating it with meat and veg between one. The restaurant uses no eggs or dairy products*, so those with allergies can rest assured you’ll be safe.

*The buns are made in a factory where there is bread made with eggs and dairy products.

The company is very much focused on the producing area of its vegetables and their quality. They used thick sliced sweet onions grown by Awaji Island producer Narui. Their organic potatoes are from Hokkaido Niseko Farm and are cooked with the skin on.

The new Aoyama branch of Jiyugaoka Burger has a white woodwork interior and the ceilings are high giving it a sense of space and comfort. There’s a large table in the middle which accommodates up to 12 people and can be used alone or for parties at night. There’s also 4-person tables for groups or business meetings. There’s also terrace seats that looks out onto Gaien-Nishi Dori, also known as Platinum Street.

Check out their healthy hamburgers for yourself!

Vogue is the world’s most influential fashion magazine. The Japanese edition, Vogue Japan, is once again holding Vogue Fashion’S Night Out (FNO) this year, a global event for shopping and fashion.

Hosting this year’s night out is Tokyo on September 15, Kobe on September 22, Nagoya on October 27, and Osaka on November 17 and 18.

FNO was created by editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour. It’s the world’s biggest fashion event that takes place in countries where Vogue is published and aims to invigorate the fashion industry.

The event began in Japan in the same year and grew rapidly across the country. This year marks its 10^th run.

The 10^th annual FNO will return to its origins of spreading the joy and depth that fashion brings to people and share the enjoyment of shopping.

Special guests will be invited again this year to host ceremonies, and in addition to plans in store from various shops, there will also be charity projects in place once more.

Comment from Mitsuko Watanabe, Vogue Japan Editor-in-Chief

“FNO is shows liveliness year by year and has become an annual event. This memorable 10^th year will take place in four cities, the biggest scale in FNO history. From the bottom of my heart I’m looking forward to getting to meet people in each of these places in Japan.”

FNO is a must-see for fashionistas. Get involved and come face to face with the world’s cutting edge styles!

Aoyama Flower Market Tea House operates as a café that lets you breathe in the seasons by promoting the fundamental principle of a lifestyle surrounded by flowers and greenery.

To celebrate the opening of the London branch of the café, Aoyama Flower Market Selfridges, the main branch in South Aoyama will serve a ‘flower afternoon tea.’

Aoyama Flower Market Selfridges is the first shop by Aoyama Flower Market to open in the UK, and the second to open overseas, following their store in Rue du Bac, Paris. They sell a mix of different item, including wicket baskets, mizuhiki (a type of decorative cord), pottery, not to mention lifestyle bouquets, a popular product in Japan.

The flower afternoon tea will run from April 23 to May 31. After enjoying mini sandwiches or scones you can tuck into ‘Flower French Toast,’ ‘Rose Jelly’ made with damask rose scent and extract which has a beautifying effect, and more.

There are also over 15 drinks to choose from, including fresh herbal tea made using a blend of 5 difference organically harvested herbs, flower tea, seasonal flavoured tea, and more.

Enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea menu over at Aoyama Flower Market Tea House!

In this featured series, dog lover and model Yuna Yabe heads out with her trusty partner Mozuku to visit hot spots that people and their dogs enjoy, while deepening her bond with him. In this article, the two of them stopped by Café Kitsuné during a morning stroll which is a coffee shop developed by French fashion brand Maison Kitsuné.

The time is 9am. Mozuku has a spring in his step as he walks the streets of Omotesando. The two companions cross the pedestrian crossing at Omotesando Crossing and gaze at the show windows of the high fashion brands. After walking a little, they arrive at Café Kitsuné.

The entrance to Café Kitsuné has a traditional Japanese vibe to it, fenced in with bamboo. The café is designed as a Japanese teahouse from the perspective of a French person.

The ceilings are low. Do you know why? It’s a bit off topic, but if you don’t have a low posture in a Japanese tearoom you can’t enter. There’s a reason for this. It’s because when entering a tearoom, everyone is expected to be equal.

When you enter Café Kitsuné, there’s not much distance between people – you are close to them. That sense of relief might be the reason.

　The wallpaper has an arrow feather design known as yagasuri and a water design called seigaiha. Although it has a French pop feel to it, it’s relaxing, perhaps due to the traditional Japanese base décor.

You can also purchase souvenirs at the café, including original mugs and stationery. Is that a dog ear on the side of the mug?! … No, it’s a fox ear.

The barista was working quietly but nimbly at the sheet copper counter.

A vase was placed in the middle of the table. The flowers were arranged by the café staff and breathe seasonal life into the Japanese space.

The menu includes things like French toast, a ham and cheese sandwich, pound cake and so on, all of which go perfect with coffee.

The espresso machine is a Marzocco Linea. It’s a big machine with three portafilters. The taste of coffee changes depending on the day’s temperature and level of humidity. To tackle that, the barista changes the quantity of beans each day to maintain the same taste of the coffee.

To convert the coffee into Maison Kitsuné’s “New Classic” fashion theme, the espresso doesn’t have that common acidic flavour to it. Instead, it’s made with a classic taste and fragrance, making it stand out from the rest. The original blend coffee beans also has just a sweet touch of citrus fruits.

Yuna-chan ordered the iced latte (¥560). The sweetness of the coffee together with the milk was balanced perfectly. It had a mellow taste.

Dogs are allowed from the entrance all the way to the terrace. Here, Yuna popped Mozuku on her lap and enjoyed a short coffee break.

Mozuku climbed onto a terrace seat and stared at Yuna-chan sipping her iced latte. She had an expression on her face like she was immersed in the stylish, grown-up café.

This is the proper way to use an elegant café when taking a walk in the city. Enjoying stopping by a café with early summer budding before your eyes in the early morning with your dog is a wonderful thing. Yuna-chan, with her coffee in hand and Mozuku by her side walking the streets of Omotesando, looked like a polished, sophisticated Tokyo girl.

‘Let’s go out again, Mozuku!’

KAYO & J-POP Encyclopedia is a music event hosted by Japanese and non-Japanese DJs set to take place in Aoyama on March 31. Two American DJs will perform at this 300-person capacity event. People from countries all around the world are expected to be there, like those from overseas on their way back from hanami.

In this current time where people are trying to end the Heisei Period, vinyl records are popular not only in Japan but are also having a boom across the world too. Take part in and enjoy this Showa music event where young Japanese people and overseas visitors will gather.