Qatar Museums recently announced Qatar Creates, a year-round cultural project overseeing, promoting, and encouraging diverse cultural activities throughout Qatar. Currently, over 40 pieces of art by prominent local and international artists are on display in Doha and throughout the country.

A large-scale outdoor exhibit titled My Soul Blooms Forever, designed by iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, has just been installed on the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). The exhibition includes a large-scale work on display for the first time in Qatar, expressing the artist’s well-known reverence for the natural world through a spectacular installation of colorful, fantastical plants and a three-dimensional sculpture of a pumpkin with Kusama’s iconic polka-dot pattern. My Soul Blooms Forever will be on display at MIA Park until March 1, 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Qatar’s Years of Culture program, as well as to commemorate the 2012 Qatar-Japan Year of Culture.

Photo by Iwan Baan. Artwork © YAYOI KUSAMA. Courtesy David Zwirner, Ota Fine Arts, and Victoria Miro.

Felissimo’s Museum Department has teamed up with Ad Museum Tokyo to release a collection of nail stickers inspired by famous works of art from the Edo Period. They also released an incense collection inspired by classic matchbooks on November 21, 2022. Nishiki-e is a type of Japanese multi-colored woodblock printing, and those interested in traditional art will love showing off their new style with these easy-to-apply stickers. 

Edo Trend Nishiki-e Gel Style Nail Stickers

One Hundred Beauties from Famous Places of Edo – Ninghocho

Sixteen Female Sennin

Keisei Oyodo – Ichikawa Masunojou

Showa Modern Incense with Matchbox Labels

These incense sets were inspired by classic matchboxes, each featuring ads from the time. Each stick burns for about 10 minutes, making them perfect for use in your spare time. After using the incense, these are perfect for using as boxes for jewelry or other small items!

The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, will be holding the ‘Hokusai at Play with the 100 Poems’ exhibition from December 15, 2022 until February 26, 2023. The exhibition will focus on the Hyakunin Isshu, a famous collection of 100 poems integral to Japanese traditional culture.

Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki – Sojo Henjo / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.

Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki – Ariwara no Narihira / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Phase 2)

The Five Great Poets, Tsuki – Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Permanently on Display)

By the middle of the Edo period, the Hyakunin Isshu, or 100 classical poems, had become an established part of Japanese culture. Hokusai, an ukiyo-e artist of the period, painted a total of 27 of these famous poems, incorporating his own ideas and views to create unique pieces still beloved so many years later. This exhibition features 24 paintings from the museum’s Hyakunin Isshu collection along with dozens more items pertaining to this legendary collection of writings. Don’t miss it!

The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum is open from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day. The museum itself is located near Azabu-Juban, where Sailor Moon took place.

　
Volume 3 of the museum, the final installment, will take place from November 12 until the museum closes on December 30. During this period, fans can see over 100 pieces of rare Sailor Moon goods from its run in Nakayoshi magazine.

All of the original color drawings currently on display will be replaced, with over 60 new pieces being added including previously unreleased works. Fans will also get a glimpse of the original drawing that appeared on the cover of Nakayoshi when the final chapter of Sailor Moon was published!

Christmas Menu

Sailor Moon Museum Christmas Pancake

Sailor Moon Museum Cheese Melt Muffin

Latte Art featuring Famous Quotes

THE ALLEY Collaboration Drinks

Christmas Tapioca Banana Pumpkin

Princess Serenity Cream Cheese Yogurt

New Christmas menu items will also be available during Vol.3. Guests can enjoy the cafe’s original Christmas tree-inspired pancakes and collaboration drinks with THE ALLEY. The main menu has also been overhauled and now includes plenty of dishes perfect for the cold winter months. The drink menu will also feature original coasters and straw tags only available at the museum.

Will you be visiting the museum during its last few weeks?

(c) Naoko Takeuchi

The word ‘kawaii’ is now commonly used around the world. Sanrio is largely to thank for this, and the beloved company has announced that the 60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition will open at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art from February 11 until April 2, 2023. Advance tickets will include a discount and will be available until November 14 online. 

“Sanrio celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020, and the company continues to share Japan’s character culture with fans around the world,” Sanrio said in a comment. “Kawaii is now a universal language, and this is very much thanks to the over 450 characters that are part of Sanrio’s history, from Hello Kitty to My Melody. 

This exhibition traces the history of Sanrio and guests can enjoy seeing rare materials including merchandise, publications, and early designs from the company’s founding. We want to continue to grow and develop our characters while valuing communication with our fans, ensuring that our adorable characters are loved by generations to come.”

The Sanrio exhibition is something that generations of fans can enjoy, so come immerse yourself in this kawaii world! For more details, visit the official website. 

After becoming extremely popular in 2022, the Detective Conan Osechi will be back in time for New Year’s Day 2023! Osechi is eaten during the New Year’s holiday in Japan, and refers to a number of tasty goodies packed inside a special multi-tiered box. Packed with all the charm of the manga and anime series, the set will come with a special New Year’s greeting card from the original creator Gosho Aoyama. Orders are now open on the Ringbell website.

This two-tiered Osechi is packed with charm and includes 28 items. From the selection of ingredients to the cooking methods, careful attention has been paid to every aspect of these dishes–the first tier offers nostalgic and traditional foods, while the second tier contains more unique goods inspired by characters from the series. The set includes a box with an original design that combines popular characters and traditional Japanese New Year’s patterns, a hand towel with a mini illustration of Conan, and three sets of festive chopsticks with illustrations. These are available to order while supplies last, so you might want to snag one before they sell out!

From November 11 until December 25, 2022, Roppongi Hills Christmas will cover Tokyo in glittering lights once again. The Keyakizaka Lights, one of Tokyo’s most popular winter attractions, will also take place in 2022, with the 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street covered in over 800,000 blue and white LED lights.

For the first time in three years, the Mohri Garden will be covered in lights as well. The annual Christmas market will invite guests to experience an authentic German Christmas, and Christmas cakes and gourmet food unique to Roppongi Hills will be for sale. 

The Roppongi Hills Christmas event utilizes LED lights and has done so since the first event was held in 2003. Clean power will be used again this year, and the lights will be switched on from 5 PM until 11 PM each night. 

In conjunction with the autumn segment of Setouchi Triennale 2022, the Yokai Halloween 2022 event will be held for the first time at the Yokai Art Museum in Shodoshima in Kagawa. During the event, guests can take part in the Halloween Night Yokai Tour on Saturdays, which will invite them to transform into terrifying ghouls! Each guest will receive a yokai mask and will be tasked to test their courage in this unique Halloween event. Those visiting the museum in costume will receive a discount, and visitors can also enjoy some spooky treats at the Yokai Bar. This is one museum horror fans won’t want to miss!

Visit the Yokai Art Museum at Night 

Unlike daytime, the Yokai Art Museum is filled with a mysterious energy at night. With a flashlight in hand, staff members will lead guests on a tour through the museum, which exhibits more than 800 yokai sculptures. Visitors can wear yokai masks and costumes, and unlike a haunted house, you won’t need to worry about yokai jumping out at you. However, the staff may ask you to keep an eye out for anything mysterious. Guests are permitted to take as many photos as they like inside the museum, so be sure to share your experience on social media!

Too Realistic! Enjoy Finger Cookies at the Yokai Bar

At the Yokai Bar attached to the museum, guests can find these terrifying finger cookies! These were made in collaboration with FUJI, a popular snack shop in Shidoshima. While tasty, they might be a little too realistic for some people. These will be available in two flavors: spicy and sweet. 

Rent a Halloween Lantern for Free

A Night Walk through the Shidoshima Maze will invite visitors to carry a Halloween-themed lantern through the town. This event is being held to promote tourism in the town at night, and lanterns will be free to rent! These will be available in different colors from the first floor of the nearby Shodoshima International Hotel. Shodoshima, known as the City of Mazes, has over 60 streets with three-way intersections and many mysterious alleys. Walking through the town at night will be an experience you’ll never forget, especially during the spookiest time of the year!

From November 30, 2022 until January 22, 2023, the Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo will hold the ‘Treasures from the Chishakuin Temple in Kyoto’ exhibition.

National Treasure. Maple Tree. Hasegawa Tohaku. (Four of Six Sides) Momoyama Period / 16th Century.

Chishakuin Temple. [On display during the entire exhibition.]

Chishakuin Temple is located in Higashiyama, Kyoto, and is the headquarters of the Chisan School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. This originated with Kobo Daishi (774-835), and the sect now has 3,000 temples around Japan. Founded during the Muromachi period (1095-1143) the temple was originally built in Wakayama Prefecture in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s son Sutemaru, but the builds were brought to Kyoto in 1598 on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Kobo Daishi Scroll

Muromachi Period, First Year of Bun’an Era (1444)

[On Display from November 30 until December 26, 2022]

Kyoto Prefecture Designated Tangible Cultural Property –  Kogyo Daishi Scroll

Kamakura Period / 13th Century

[On Display from November 30 until December 26, 2022]

National Treasure. Cherry Blossoms. Hasegawa Tohaku. (Four of Five Sides) Momoyama Period / 16th Century.

[On display during the entire exhibition.]

The temple is best known today for its panel paintings and gardens, the latter of which was inspired by tea master Sen-no-Rikyu. Half of the original paintings remain, with some having been lost to fire and some simply being degraded over time.　

National Treasure. Diamond Sutra (Partial) – Zhang Jizhi

Southern Song Dynasty, First Year of Houyuu (1253)

[On display during the entire exhibition]

Important Cultural Property. Mahamayuri Scroll.

Kamakura Period / 14th Century

[On Display from December 28, 2022 until January 22, 2023]

Important Cultural Property. Green Maple and Waterfall. Song Dynasty / 13th Century

[On Display from November 30 until December 26, 2022]

Ladies at Tea. Insho Domoto. 4 sides. Showa 33 (1958)

[On display during the entire exhibition]

This exhibition will mark the first time that many of the paintings are shown simultaneously outside of the temple, including Cherry Blossoms, Maple Tree, and Pine Tree with Autumn Plants. Visitors can also enjoy National Treasures and items from the temple’s treasure trove of Buddhist Art. Would you like to come and browse these incredible pieces?

The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum is open from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day. The museum itself is located near Azabu-Juban, where Sailor Moon took place. 

The museum is divided into three volumes, with the second starting on September 10. During this phase, the many original color drawings currently on display will be replaced by 60 color drawings mainly from the third and fourth parts of the original work. All 10 main characters will be on display, including Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, Sailor Pluto, and Sailor Saturn.

New Merch at a Glance

Hand Cream

Clear Shoulder Bag

Fluffy Socks (Super Sailor Moon)

MA01 (NV) ※Available to Order

StyleDoll Princess Serenity

Postcard Set (B)

Clear Folder (Set of 2, B)

Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Mask Plushie Set

Bento Box with Cutlery

Sailor Moon Case

Cafe Menu at a Glance

Outer Senshi Plate

Sailor Soldier Duo Soda Float

With the start of Vol. 2, new goods and a new cafe menu will be available. More than 70 goods will be available, including a wide variety of items using original drawings of the 10 Sailor Soldiers. A cafe menu featuring the four Outer Senshi will also be revealed, so why not come show your love of this classic series?

© Naoko Takeuchi

HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE, a Studio Ghibli-inspired apparel collection by popular American counterculture chain Hot Topic, will be available in stores throughout the U.S. and Canada starting in August! These items will be available on the Hot Topic online store in Japan as well, and a limited-time pop-up shop is scheduled to open in Harajuku on August 10. This is the first time that one of Hot Topic’s apparel collections will be made available in Japan.

HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE, an Apparel Collection from Studio Ghibli and Hot Topic

Hot Topic has been popular in the states for years, with over 800 stores in America in 2022. Founded in 1988, the company is best known for selling apparel and goods inspired by popular music, games, movies, and anime. The new HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE collection brings the heart of Japanese culture to the chain, adding to the ongoing collaboration with the store and Studio Ghibli which began in 2014. Hot Topic stores will sell original items produced by nine Japanese creators and brands, as well as some original American items produced by Hot Topic’s executive designers. 

 
The lineup of Japan-original items includes T-shirts, tote bags, and other items featuring exclusive artwork by up-and-coming creators. These items depict beloved characters from Studio Ghibli’s works, as well as logos created for the collaboration. This will be the first time these creators will be releasing items inspired by the famed animation studio, so expect to find a new vision of Studio Ghibli’s world!

HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE Limited Time Pop-up Store to Open in Harajuku

To celebrate the collection’s release, a pop-up store will be opening in Harajuku for a limited time. Visitors will be able to see and purchase the available items while in this unique space, and more details will be released on the official HARAJUKU COLLECTIVE’s social media pages, so keep an eye out!

The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum will run from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day.

Visitors to the museum can also enjoy the Sailor Moon Museum Cafe, which will offer delectable dishes inspired by the series!

Cosmic Heart Compact Dessert Plate: ¥1,730 (Tax Included)

This dessert plate features a colorful and fluffy recreation of Sailor Moon’s Cosmic Heart Compact. With raspberry mousse as a base, a crispy icing cookie sits on top.

Sailor Moon Museum Sliders: ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

The signature menu features sliders decorated with the museum’s logo along with a salad and soup inspired by one of the main character’s colors. Guests can enjoy two different sliders: steamed chicken basil sauce and shrimp and egg.

In the Name of the Moon, I’ll Punish You! Omurice: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

This omurice features Sailor Moon’s classic silhouette and is finished with a rich and creamy white sauce. Served with a salad, this meal is well-balanced and very filling!

Sailor Soldier Rainbow Parfait: ¥1,480 (Tax Included)

This colorful parfait was inspired by Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Venus, and Sailor Moon. Filled with fruits and jellies, this treat is filled with unique textures and tastes.

Sailor Chibi Moon’s Pudding a la Mode: ¥1,630 (Tax Included)

This adorable arrangement of sweets inspired by Sailor Chibi Moon has a retro feel. Filled with strawberries, white peaches, and ice cream, this dessert will look great on social media!

New menu items will be included during the second volume of the museum starting September 10, so stay tuned!

Come surround yourself with all things Sailor Moon! Which of these adorable treats do you want to try? 

©Naoko Takeuchi