A winter tradition in Izu, the capybara open-air bath at Izu Shaboten Zoo will be held again this year from November 19 until April 2, 2023. During the event period, guests can watch the adorable capybaras as they enjoy a hot bath once a day at 1:30 PM on weekdays and twice a day at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM on weekends and holidays. 

This season marks the 40th anniversary of the popular event, though it all began as a happy accident. In 1982, an employee cleaning the enclosure with hot water noticed that the capybaras were huddling together in a warm puddle. Since then, each year, employees prepare a warm bath for the animals during winter and early spring. 

During the event period, in addition to the standard open-air baths, the water will be decorated with unique items depending on the season, from yuzu to rose petals.

40th-anniversary goods will available at the Animal Mart Gift Shop at the zoo, as well as the official Izu Shaboten Zoo online store. 

For more information about the event’s schedule, visit the official website.

From November 11, 2022 until August 2023, Izu Granpal Park in Shizuoka Prefecture will host the 8th Izu Kogen Grand Illumination event!

The Izu Kogen Grand Illumination was ranked #1 in the Walker+National Illumination Ranking for six consecutive years and is beloved by visitors of all ages. This isn’t just a collection of pretty lights–the Grand Illumination also includes a number of hands-on experiences for everyone to enjoy.

In 2021, the event won first place in the Ninth Illumination Awards for the second year in a row. Known as Japan’s first ‘hands-on illumination experience,’ the park has continued to evolve year after year, adding more attractions and finding its unique style. These attractions include a zip line through the lights, Dinosaur Go-Karts, and more.

This year, the Flower Lantern Area and Sweets Lantern Area have been completely redesigned and upgraded to be even more three-dimensional and colorful. Come enjoy this incredible world of lights and have some fun with the whole family!

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.

Shizuoka Prefefcture is once again collaborating with popular anime series Laid-Back Camp for a special stamp rally. Two courses will be open from January 21 until March 21, 2022, and will take guests on a journey throughout the most gorgeous localities in the region.

This stamp rally is the third in a series of Laid-Back Camp and Shizuoka Prefecture stamp rallys held since November 2021. 

Those who finish the rally will be presented with a special clear folder featuring an exclusive illustration made for this event, so get traveling! 

(C) あfろ・芳文社／野外活動委員会

Strawberry Shop Izunokuni Shizuoka Michi-no-Eki Izu no Heso ichigo BonBonBerry Izunokuni factory will be celebrating “ii ichigo no hi” (Good Strawberry Day) on January 15 by releasing new strawberry purin desserts which are full of strawberry goodness. 

Committed to increasing love for strawberries, Michi-no-Eki Izu no Heso Ichigo BonbonBERRY Izunokuni factory sells a wide range of delicious strawberry-based foods as well as cute merchandise throughout the year. For example, strawberry-themed merchandise, jams, seasoning containing strawberries, desserts and much more. 

Strawberry Parfaits

Toge Toge Bonbon: ¥1800 (After Tax)

The Toge Toge Bonbon parfait is full of impact and full of strawberries. The glass is filled with homemade no-bake cheesecake, milk purin, homemade strawberry jam and much more. As strawberries are currently in season, the parfait currently enjoys a sweeter flavour. The fruitiness balances out with the mildness of the cheesecake and leaves a refreshing aftertaste.

Mix and Enjoy – Strawberry Pouch Pudding

Strawberry Pouch Pudding: ¥650 (After Tax)

A smooth strawberry purin is layered with slices of strawberry and fluffy whipped cream. The adorable purin pouch is packed with dried, crispy strawberry granola mix. Mix up the granola to enjoy a range of different textures. This can also be enjoyed on the go. 

As strawberries are in season, this is the perfect time to treat yourself to one of Japan’s sweet and beautiful strawberry desserts.

International photography and camera company Fujifilm are known for their popular serious of instax cameras which enable users to print the photos they take directly out of the camera instantly.

The company recently released their new instax mini LiPlay which adds an exciting new sound feature to the camera: users can record sounds and attach them to a QR code that prints onto the photo and can be scanned to play the sound at any time.

Arriving in stylish design, the camera has many useful and convenient features including the a direct print function which lets you print photos directly from your smartphone via Bluetooth, a frame and filter feature to add even more fun to your photos, the Remote Capture Image feature where you can capture group photos by using your smartphone as a shutter button, and more.

Japanese model NANAMI featured in the web commercial for the new device.

In the commercial, she takes a trip to Kamakura with her girlfriends, and has fun taking photos with the camera on their travels.

The commercial began being shown in Harajuku on large outdoor screens and on trains on August 5. The full version is set to be released on the online photo site Cheki Press in the neat future.

If you’re already a user of the instax or are new to these fun devices, then the latest instax mini LiPlay is a must-grab.

This summer, Ito city will be seeing lots of large-scale fireworks festivals take place between July 20 and August 24.  

Ito Onsen Yume Hanabi/ Ito Onsen, Ito Coast 

The Yume Hanabi (Dream Fireworks) event will be held 10 times during the summer fireworks season. Enjoy a range of fireworks exploding before your very eyes. The sizes of the fireworks range from an outer diameter of 9 cm to 30 cm. Each day, between 1,000 and 1,500 fireworks will pierce the night sky with a beautiful show of colours. The best spot to watch these would be from a simple patch of grass in Nagisa Park. 

July 20 (Sat)  20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

July 28 (Sun) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

July 30  (Tues) 20:30 ー 21:00　(Approx. 1,500 fireworks)

July 31 (Weds) 20:30 ー 21:00　(Approx. 1,500 fireworks)

August 2 (Fri) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

August 3 (Sat) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

August 6 (Tues) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

August 7 (Weds) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

August 17 (Sat) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

August 24 (Sat) 20:30 ー 20:50　(Approx. 1,000 fireworks)

Usami Summer Festival  Kaijo Hanabi Taikai/ Usami Coast

This festival remains popular among the locals but is still yet to be discovered by tourists. This is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view at your own pace. The road leading from Usami Station is a pedestrian zone lined with stands and stalls, making it the perfect place to enjoy the festival vibes. 

August 1 (Thurs) 20:00 ー 20:30 (Approx. 1,500 fireworks)

Floating Lanterns Uchiage Hanabi/ Ito Coast

Bright lanterns are floated down the Matsukawa river which runs through the heart of the city. As the last magical lantern makes its way down the river, the fireworks are set off into the sky, illuminating the lanterns as they float downstream.

August 8 (Thurs) 20:50 ー 21:00 (Approx. 800 fireworks)

Taiko no Hibiki (Echoing Drums)  Uchiage Hanabi (Ito Kaigan)

Head over to Nagisa Park to witness the taiko drum battle. Nagisa Park is one of the best locations in Ito city to watch the fireworks. The energy from the drums will resonate throughout the entire park. As the battle reaches its climax, fireworks will soar into the sky, exploding to the beat of your heart.

August 9 (Fri) 20:50 ー 21:00 (Approx. 800 fireworks)

Anjin Large-Scale Seaside Fireworks Festival / Along Ito Coast 

This is the largest fireworks festival in Ito. Over the course of an hour, approximately 10,000 fireworks will be launched from five different areas along the coast, striking vibrant streaks of colour into the night sky over the sea. The fireworks range from digital Star Mines to Niagara fireworks. For those of you who want to escape the crowds to watch the fireworks at your own pace, we recommend the seating area, where you can fully enjoy a closeup view of the breathtaking fireworks for just ￥2,000 per seat. August 10 (Sat) 20:00 ー 21:00 (Approx. 10,000 fireworks)

Yanmono Sato Hanabi Taikai /Yawatano

In just 30 mins, 3,000 fireworks are fired into the sky, bursting into dynamic patterns that illuminate the sea and create a scene of lingering beauty that you will not be able to peel your eyes from. The fireworks are set off right before the spectator’s eyes so you can watch the fireworks develop into spontaneous beauty right above you. 

August 14 (Weds) 20:00 ー 20:30 (Approx. 3,000 fireworks)

Kawana Dolphin Beach Large-Scale Seaside Fireworks / Dolphin Beach Park

This is a popular event among locals as well as tourists. Although there are not as many fireworks, the fact that viewers can enjoy them close up more than makes up for it. Niagara fireworks that shower over the ocean and Star Mines that blossom above you are just some of the popular kinds of fireworks this festival will allow you to witness.

August 15 (Thurs) 20:00 ー 20:30 (Approx. 2,000 fireworks)

Ito Hot Springs Hashi Festival Fireworks/ Ito Beach

At this unique festival, a tower made of chopsticks used at the hot springs is set on fire for a memorial service. A portable shrine overflowing with strong energy is carried through the streets as part of a parade. The event also sees hand-held fireworks, enhancing the festival vibes. The fireworks explode over the sea, colouring the sky with a scene that represents the end of summer. 

August 22 (Thurs) 20:30 ー 21:00 (Approx. 1,500 fireworks)

The summer holidays is the perfect time to enjoy a fireworks festival, so why don’t you check one out?

Kyoto is renowned for its historical architecture and richness in traditional Japanese culture, but did you know it’s also home to some extremely cute and delicious desserts? Their sweets and desserts are actually pretty popular, some of which contain motifs and little nods to the city.

Today, Instagrammer meme takes us on a tour in Kyoto to try out 4 popular desserts.

JEREMY&JEMIMAH

JEREMY&JEMIMAH is a shop selling cute and colourful cotton candy. Their staple Wata-Hako cotton candy comes in 10 different flavours! In the photo we have yuzu, rose and matcha flavours. Of the two branches of the store, there is one along Furukawacho Shopping Street where you order your cotton candy for takeout, and another in Yasaka that serves cotton candy on long sticks.

We picked up a few different ones since there are so many flavours and designs. It was fun lining them up to take a picture.

We took them home to eat and they stayed nice and fluffy the whole way back. The yuzu one tasted a little herbal, like it was healthy for you.

▼JEREMY&JEMIMAH (Furukawacho Shopping Street Branch)

Address: Furukawacho Shopping Street, 444-3 Hachikenchō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto

Opening Hours: 11:00-17:00

Official Website: http://www.jeremyjemimah.com/

ROCCA & FRIENDS TRUCK

At ROCCA & FRIENDS TRUCK, you can order these iced dessert matcha and houjicha lattes which are topped with yatsuhashi―a confection sold in Kyoto―shaped into various sights across the city including Kyoto Tower, Hōkanji Temple, Daimonji, a Torii gate, and more.

I ordered the matcha latte. The drink itself isn’t sweet at all so you can enjoy the full original rich and bitter flavour of the matcha. The fresh cream however is quite sweet so you can mix it into the drink as much as you want to get your desired flavour.

There are lots of great spots in the area such as the Hōkanji Temple pagoda and Yasaka Shrine so  you can snap some great sightseeing photos♡

▼ROCCA & FRIENDS TRUCK

Address: 370 Yasaka Kamimachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocca.truck/

Jumondo

We also visited Jumondo which sells Kyoto-style dango, or “sweet dumplings.” We shared three different orders amongst three people: Danraku (団楽) which comes as a set with a drink, Dandan (だんだん) which comes with matcha, and Zenzai to Aburi Kuri Kinton (ぜんざいと炙り栗きんとん).

Once you order, the dango are made fresh so are served hot and chewy. Each dumpling is on the small side so are nice and easy to eat.

The Danraku comes with five different dumplings including sweet soy glaze, mashed sweet bean paste, soy sauce and black sesame seed, fried, and white miso. The Dandan comes with three types of your choice and a wafer filled with mashed sweet bean paste. The Zenzai to Aburi Kuri Kinton with mashed sweet potatoes with sweetened chestnut dango. The final one comes with matcha which can be served hot or cold.

Everything was tasty but my personal favourite was the yuzu flavoured white miso dumpling.

The one that everybody raved about was the Zenzai which is a thick soup that the dango are placed into. These dumplings are bigger, not too sweet and light. The soup went really well with the dango, it was super tasty.

▼Jumondo

Address: 76 Tamamizuchō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto

TEL: 075-525-3733

Official Website: http://jumondo.jp/index.html

Kyo Yasaka Pudding

Yasaka is a particularly popular tourist spot in Kyoto, and that’s where the cute purin shop Kyo Yasaka Pudding is located.

Purin is a type of custard purring sold in Japan. The first pudding we picked up was the store’s recommended option named after the store itself, the Kyo Yasaka Pudding. It contains a transparent lemon and honey flavoured jelly inside which there are small and colourful agar agar balls and mango jelly balls.

It has an enjoyable texture and a refreshing sweetness that I’ve never experienced before with other purin. It’s very tasty!

There are five flavours to choose from, the others being hard, smooth, matcha and black soy bean, and houjicha black soy bean. All are served in tiny cute jars. Not only do they look great, they taste amazing too. Each is made with ingredients sourced in Kyoto including the milk, Uji matcha, houjicha, and black soy beans.

They also sell soft serve ice cream topped with candy balls, very Kyoto-like! You can choose from vanilla, matcha, or a mix of both. I think it’ll be really fun if you can snap a photo of your ice cream with one of Yasaka’s stylish locations in the background! Speaking of which, there was a cute illustration on the wall of the store so we took our photo there.

Be sure to pay a visit to Kyo Yasaka Pudding to pick up your own pudding whether as a souvenir or for yourself.

▼Kyo Yasaka Pudding

Address: 87-4 Hoshinochō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

TEL: 075-533-8338

Official Website: https://kyo-yasaka-pudding.co.jp/

Kyoto is full of shops selling desserts and sweets perfect to walk around and munch on while you walk its ancient streets, or to take home as a souvenir. Enjoy all the tasty things you can during your visit to this beautiful city♡

—

Photos/Text: meme

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

It is already summer! As people return to their families in the countryside or embark on a special trip with friends, Tokyo station is just a thriving hive of busy bees. That is why today we will be introducing you to a variety of general souvenirs that you can buy at Tokyo Station and take to your friends and family. 

Souvenirs for Visitors to Japan

Tokyo Station Hand Towel (SHARED TOKYO): ￥1,404 (after tax )    ※ GRANSTA-limited 

This hand towel is decorated with classic illustrations of Tokyo Station’s reliefs and clematis flowers. The flowers portray the message: “happiness of travellers”

Furoshiki Patchin (SHARED TOKYO ) 1 set: ￥2,484 (after tax) 

This is a beautiful shaped piece of wood with four holes. When you wrap your bento lunch inside a cloth, this piece of wood comes in handy when tying the corners of the cloth together. In moments, you can turn a normal piece of cloth into a useful bag. When you are going on a trip and have lots of luggage, this will come in very handy. 

Character-themed Souvenirs

Suica Penguin O-mikuji Fortunes (TRAINIART TOKYO): ￥594 each (after tax)

Perhaps you are familiar with the Suica card, which is a form of rechargeable contactless card used to pay for train fares in Japan. For fans of the adorable Suica Penguin, which is the mascot of the card, this gift is a must. Peel off the sticker on the bottom and a red string will be revealed. Pull the string and your fortune will be revealed to you!

Unusual Souvenirs

Stained Glass-Style Bookmark (Neue ): ￥1,188 (after tax) 

How about a luxurious stained glass-style book mark? This would make the perfect gift for any bookworm. Just having this would make you excited to get reading.

Bullet Train Souvenirs 

TOKYO STATION SOCKS (Happy Socks): ￥972 (children )/￥ 1,620 (prices after tax ) ※GRANSTA-limited 

The pop-coloured socks are perfect for pumping energy through any child’s feet! There are also socks for adults which come in more mature colours which are easier to colour coordinate. These socks are easy to put on and are a great way to add a touch of cuteness to your look. 

Electric Pen: E6 Series Super Komachi Shinkansen /Electric Car Pen E5 Hayabusa (Neue): ￥648 (after tax)

 Tip the pen and the bullet train will zip to Tokyo Marunouchi Station. There’s no doubt that train fans and children would love to get this present. 

We hope this article helps you choose a souvenir on your next visit to Tokyo station.

Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki is collaborating with the world’s favourite childish penguin Pingu. This summer, Pingu will feature in the special event: Penguin-tachi no fushigina sekai Pingu summer festival (Pingu summer festival: Enter the curious world of penguins). The event will run from July 13 to September 1.

Located just a 1.5 hour bus/train ride away, Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki is in easy reach from Tokyo. It takes just 1 hour 15 minutes to reach by car. 

Pingu Photo Spots

Enter the aquarium and you will find numerous Pingu-themed photo spots. Take a photo next to statues of Pingu and friends, or with an original design photo panel. This is the perfect place to create lots of good summer memories with your family or friends and take lots of fun pictures.

Chat with Pingu

You can also enjoy a fun conversation with Pingu by watching fun videos. Come play with the characters and enjoy their cute animations and unique voices. This venue is full of unique and fun experiences.

Uchiwa Fan Stamp Rally (Weekday-limited)

Explore the aquarium to locate the three stamp spots. There is a Pingu, Pinga and Robby stamp spot where you can collect your stamps to complete the picture on your uchiwa fan. Completing the picture on your fan will be as fun as completing a colouring book!

Running: Weekdays (Not running between August 13 ー 16)

※ This event will finish early if all Uchiwa fans are given away before the end of the event. 

Pingu Greeting

Pingu will visit the aquarium himself, so enjoy interacting with him!

Running: July 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28, August 3, 4 (8 days total).

Times: 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, (lasts approx. 30 mins).

Besides the above, there is so much Pingu-tastic fun to be had. Come create some special summer memories with Pingu at Aqua World Oarai, Ibaraki 

© 2019 The Pygos Group / (C)MATTEL, NHK, NEP, PPI

Higashi-Izu Machi Kanko Kyokai tourism association is holding their 17th evening firefly-watching event to be held in a local hot spring village of Higashi-Izu. The Higashi-Izu Machi Onsenkyo Hotaru Kansho no Sakuya” will be held from Sunday 2nd to Tuesday 11th June. Free yourself from everyday life and watch the night light up as a mystical scenery filled with fireflies descends upon you. This experience will take your body and mind to a whole new world!

The event will be held at the natural Okawa Takegasa Koen; a park which is listed to have one of Shizuoka’s 100 top waterfronts. You can feel the seasons changing here, and during June, you can see a clear stream of fireflies dancing. The warm colours of their glow will put you at ease for hours.  

Numerous other events will take place alongside the firefly-watching event, such as the “Chochin walk” where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll at night with a warmly lit paper lantern. You can also stop by the “firefly town” (Hotaru-shi) where you can browse lots of local goods during the night market, or take part in the “otanoshimi chusen kai” lucky lottery where many prizes can be won. Shizuoka DC has also planned a special prize-giving program, where visitors who arrive at the park in a Yutaka (summer kimono) on a weekday of the event will be given a small gift!

Enjoy a mystical and extraordinary night of nature at Higashi-Izu. This is your chance to relax under the light of fireflies and explore the numerous shops at the firefly town!

NANAMI is the much-talked-about younger sister of Maki Horikita, a Japanese actress and talent who shocked everyone with her sudden retirement in 2017.

NANAMI works as a model as well as an eye makeup designer at Harajuku’s popular eyelash salon L by HOME. She has just released her long-awaited 1st photobook.

This compact book features exclusive photos taken of NANAMI focusing on everything from fashion to makeup and even her first dip into gravure. There is also a long interview where she talks in depth about her family and other must-read topics that all fans will enjoy.

As she continues to grow in popularity, be sure to check out her photobook.