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!

Starting on August 11, Chibi Maruko-chan Land in Shizuoka will begin a series of events in collaboration with Rascal the Raccoon! Exclusive merchandise will be on sale during the event period, so fans of either franchise won’t want to miss out.

Rascal has come to play in the world of Chibi Maruko-chan! Nakano-san is a little afraid of the animal, but Rascal tries to calm him down. This adorable imagery is everywhere, and everyone’s favorite raccoon meets a ton of popular characters from the Maruko-chan anime and manga series, so be sure to take a look!

On opening day, Maruko and Rascal will greet guests at the entrance. A photo session will be available for guests with admission tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a limited time only, the projection mapping area in the park will host a Chibi Maruko-chan Carnival dance event with Maruko and Rascal!

Merch at a Glance

Medical Diary Cover: ¥550 / Pen: ¥550 / Mechanical Pencil: ¥550 / Clear Folder: ¥385

Wet Tissue Pack (2 varieties): ¥550 each / Mini Towel: ¥880 /
Hand Sanitizer Spray: ¥880 / Acrylic Stand: ¥1,430

*Sample Image

A campaign is also underway at Chibi Maruko-chan Land. Those spending ¥2,000 or more on Maruko goods or collaboration goods will receive an original sticker while supplies last.

Come have fun with Maruko and Rascal during this special event!

From July 22 until August 21, fans of the adorable character Chiikawa will want to visit Shizuoka PARCO! The Chiikawa Chinese Restaurant and Drink Stand will be offering up some themed dishes for a limited time.

Original Menu at a Glance

Cream Soda with Winning Lottery Number

Otter’s Iced Cocoa

Hot Spring Style Hot Apricot Milk with Marshmallows

Chestnut Manju Alcohol-Free Drink

Chiikawa Meat Bun

Bonus for Drink Orders: Original Cafe Coaster (17 varieties)

Original Goods at a Glance

Mini Glass

Clear Folder

Acrylic Smartphone Ring

Silicon Ice Tray

Drawstring Bag

T-Shirt / Meat Bun

Goods Purchase Bonus

The Chiikawa Chinese Restaurant is a collaborative cafe project featuring a Chinese-inspired menu and newly-drawn illustrations. This cafe was a huge hit in Tokyo in the past, and those who missed out will have another chance to enter the world of this popular character!

The collaboration menu includes three kinds of cream soda with a winning lottery stick, iced cocoa similar to a strawberry parfait, and other items to enjoy the world of Chiikawa. Guests can also purchase goods featuring illustrations of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi in Chinese costumes.

Come have a tasty snack and a refreshing drink while you grab some limited Chiikawa merch!

©nagano / chiikawa committee

Kimikura, a specialty tea shop in Shizuoka Prefecture, is collaborating with Laid-Back Camp Season 2! Fans will be able to purchase Kimikura’s popular green tea in limited edition packaging showing Rin Shima enjoying a piping hot cup. This limited edition item will be available at the Kimikura online store and Kimikura’s physical shops starting July 8, 2022. 

The high-quality Kakegawa tea is made from leaves picked after 88 nights and has a lovely mellow fragrance and a full-bodied flavor.

This is the third collaboration with Laid-Back Camp, and fans of the series or Rin won’t want to miss it.

Why not rewatch Laid-Back Camp with a nice cup of this tasty tea?

The globally popular 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 original comic has sold over 7 million copies, and the series has helped people around the world destress. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021. An animated film will arrive in theaters on July 1, 2022.

The series has announced a collaboration with Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, which are both depicted in the work, as well as JR Central. The ‘Laid-Back Camp Dramatic Puzzle Solving Game: Two Treasure Maps and a Trip Down Memory Lane’ event will run from July 1 until August 31, 2022. The Rin Route will begin in Kofu and the Nadeshiko Route will start in Shizuoka. Participants will receive a small gift for completing each route.

In conjunction with the event, JR Central will sell special Laid-Back Camp one-day round-trip tickets, and a collaboration train will be decorated with illustrations from the series.

The poster for the event shows new illustrations of Rin and Nadeshiko made by Green House, the illustrators behind Bikkuriman. These illustrations will also appear on a variety of original goods!

When Japan opens again, how would you like to journey through these beautiful areas?

©あfろ・芳文社／野外活動委員会

The poop-themed Unko Museum is heading to Shizuoka for the first time! Guests will be able to visit the unique exhibition from July 15 until September 25, 2022.

The Unko Museum has previously popped up in Yokohama, Tokyo, Shanghai, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and even online. In Shizuoka, it will be held inside S-Pulse Dream Plaza, a spectacular venue with a view of Mt. Fuji. The educational museum features tons of poo-themed attractions, from the poop-spurting Unko Volcano to a game area. 

The museum first opened in 2019 and made news around the world. Since the flagship location opened in Tokyo, over 800,000 visitors have come to openings around the world.

While it may seem like a strange way to spend a day, would you like to come and experience this museum for yourself?

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.

Last year, Hatsukame Sake Brewery, a staple in Shizuoka Prefecture, released a collaborative special edition sake featuring Papa Hiroshi from the anime series Chibi Maruko-chan. The collab makes sense, as the anime series takes place in Shizuoka Prefecture. Bottles sold out incredibly fast, so it’s no wonder that the brewery has now opened orders for the 2022 batch! The special products will be available on June 4, just in time for Father’s Day. Customers can choose from the Junmai Ginjo or Junmai Daiginjo varieties.

Junmai Ginjo Papa Hiroshi Vintage 2022

Junmai Daiginjo Papa Hiroshi Vintage 2022

The Junmai Ginjo Papa Hiroshi Vintage 2022 was made with water, rice, and yeast from Shizuoka, where the series takes place. With a refreshing aroma and a gentle sweetness derived from the Homarefuji rice, the flavor is sure to arouse your palate!

The original label featured on the bottle shows Papa Hiroshi enjoying local sake with tuna sashimi from Shizuoka with Mt. Fuji in the background. All bottles will come with a paper box featuring a similar design. The turtle on the label is the symbol of Hatsukame Brewing! It’s recommended that customers drink their sake with local tuna–it’s the perfect combination.

The Daiginjo variety is made from rare Aiyama rice, known as the ‘Diamond of Sake Rice.’ Polished and carefully prepared by hand, the aroma of the sake is reminiscent of tropical fruits. The final product has a rich sweetness.

Last year’s label showed Papa Hiroshi in a Kimono watching the first sunrise over Mt. Fuji. Be sure to grab a bottle to experience the taste of Shizuoka! Only 223 bottles will be available, so be quick!

©さくらプロダクション/日本アニメーション ©Hatsukame Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. ©Nexus Co., Ltd.

Shizuoka PARCO will open a pop-up shop inspired by the popular stop-motion series Pui Pui Molcar from March 30 until April 10! The shop has opened at seven PARCO locations nationwide so far, attracting over 45,000 fans.

Pui Pui Molcar aired for 12 episodes from January to March 2021. The series was directed by Tomoki Misato, and has attracted a worldwide fandom with its cute and fuzzy characters.

Extra-large Photo Spot

Merchandise

Pins (21 varieties)

Acrylic Keychain

Mini Canvas

Diorama Acrylic Stand

Blanket

Acrylic Signboard Stands

The venue will feature an oversized photo spot where visitors can take commemorative photos in a full-size Molcar, as well as a collection of commemorative merchandise featuring illustrations drawn exclusively for the shop. Since the first pop-up shop opened at Shibuya PARCO in July 2021, it has traveled to Urawa, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Shinsaibashi. Why not check it out?

Shizuoka-based egg specialty store TAMAGOYA is currently running a BERRY BERRY Strawberry Fair for a limited time.

TAMAGO Pudding Parfait

ICHIGP Pudding Parfait

Gigantic ICHIGO Shortcake Parfait

Strawberry-filled Pancakes

The cafe offers pancakes and parfaits made with strawberries from Shizuoka Prefecture. The menu includes the “TAMAGO Pudding Parfait” that looks like a fried egg with fluffy pancakes and pudding as a specialty of egg stores, and the seasonal “ICHIGO Pudding Parfait”. The “ICHIGO’s Giant Shortcake Parfait,” which weighs over 5 kg, is available by reservation only.

Enjoy the harmony of eggs and strawberries to your heart’s content.

Camping anime series Laid-Back Camp has taken the world by storm. The slice-of-life series is perfect for when you need to relax and daydream of time spent in the Japanese countryside. Shizuoka Prefecture has announced a special stamp rally featuring locations seen in the series from November 12, 2021 until January 10, 2022. 

Even if you’re unable to visit during the event period, fans can find some incredible maps on the official website highlighting locations seen in the anime and manga series. These maps will be physically available at stamp rally locations. If you’re planning a trip to Japan in the future, it would be neat to try to visit these locales!