Fans of Japan and Japanese culture may know that Kobe’s food scene is not to be missed. A new restaurant, KANBE, is now open and tells the story of the city’s food culture. The grand opening was on November 30 in Sannomiya.  

The story begins with water, the source of Kobe’s food. The city’s famed fare like Kobe beef, Suma salmon, and seasonal vegetables  will take the stage through storytelling, projection mapping, and uniquely planed dishes. Ingredients are served to guests the same day that they are delivered to the restaurant, offering the freshest possible experience. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks made in Kobe, including Nada Gogou sake and Kobe wine. These are made using Nunobiki water from the Rokko mountain range, meaning that everything guests enjoy was truly made in Kobe.

At KANBE, visitors will chat with a storyteller who weaves the story of Kobe’s food into the experience. A chef himself, he is well-versed in cooking methods, food history, and nutrition. 

The 18-meter-long counter adds to the experience by displaying seasonal scenery, the water of Nunobiki, and the night view from Mt. Rokko. Nature sounds, like the murmuring of Nunobiki Falls and the chirping of birds, also echo through the restaurant in time with the projection mapping, creating an atmosphere that feels alive.

Why not come enjoy a new kind of dining experience?

A collaboration cafe and pop-up shop inspired by the popular anime series Tokyo Revengers will open again this year following a successful run in 2021. The event will be held on the fourth floor of Tokyo Solamachi from November 3 until December 2, 2022.

Collaboration Merch

The collaboration will feature a variety of limited-edition goods with new designs based on the theme of the ‘backstreets.’ The lineup includes acrylic stands, clear folders, and plenty more. Special Baji birthday goods will also be available on November 3!

Collaboration Menu

The popular collaboration menu features food items inspired by the show’s characters, and guests will be able to enjoy everything from curry and yakisoba to pancakes and crepes. Even if you’re not hungry, you can still grab a drink!

Baji’s Birthday Celebration Event

From November 3 until November 7, fans of Baji won’t want to miss his birthday event. During this time, guests will be able to snag a special sweets plate, so don’t miss it!

See the official website for more details!

My Hero Academia began its sixth season this month, and to celebrate, a special pop-up store will open at Tokyo Solamachi for a limited time. Fans will be able to grab some neat merch from November 5 until December 2, 2022.

Limited-Edition Collaborative Goods

The new merchandise features unique character nametags drawn exclusively for the shop. Fans can grab all kinds of goods, from acrylic pen stands and pins to clear folders and pouches. 

Purchase Bonuses Available

Guests spending ¥1,000 (tax included) or more will be gifted an original illustration card. Ten designs are available, and each card will be given out at random. 

These new products can also be purchased online at the Tree Village site from November 5 at 9:00 until December 2 at 23:59. Note that the purchase bonus is not available for online orders.

For more details, check out the official website!

©堀越耕平／集英社・僕のヒーローアカデミア製作委員会

A pop-up collaboration cafe for the popular anime series NARUTO and BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, has been announced! The event will be held from October 29 until November 25 on the fourth floor of Tokyo Solamachi.

Original Merchandise & Cafe Menu

There will also be a large collection of new merchandise featuring brand new illustrations for fans so snag. Along with acrylic keychains and pins, printed cookies, T-shirts, and towels will also be available!

At the collaboration cafe, fans can enjoy a lineup of dishes inspired by popular characters from both series, including Boruto’s Spiral Burger, Sasuke’s Stew, and Sasori’s Puppet Pancakes. A full dessert and drink menu will also be available for fans wanting to try dishes like Sakura’s Life-Long Love Parfait and Itachi’s Tsukiyomi Chocolate. A total of eight original coasters will be available, and one will be handed out with each dish ordered.

Sasori’s Birthday Project

The event will also celebrate Sasori’s birthday from November 8 until November 13. Guests can enjoy a special pancake set featuring the popular character along with a festive birthday decoration! 

More information will be posted on the official Twitter page, so be sure to check that and the official website!

With over 38 million copies sold, Tomoko Ninomiya’s music manga Nodame Cantabile remains popular 20 years after its debut. To celebrate this milestone, a Nodame Cantabile exhibition will be held in Tokyo from October 8 until October 23 and in Osaka from November 23 to December 5, 2022.

(Bundle)

Mini Towel in a Turmeric Box

Fans of the series won’t want to miss the special event visual of Nodame and Chiaki drawn by Tomoko Ninomiya herself for the occasion! A number of incredible items will be on display, including completed manuscripts and original sketches. Certain areas will allow visitors to enter the world of Nodame Cantabile themselves, and commemorative goods will be on sale at each venue. The latest information regarding tickets, exhibit details, and merch will be announced on the official website and Twitter, so keep your eyes peeled!

(C)二ノ宮知子／講談社

A pop-up store and cafe inspired by the anime series Blue Lock will open in September! The series is due to begin airing in October 2022.

The limited-time cafe and shop will open at Tokyo Solamachi Tree Village. Guests will be able to enjoy original dishes inspired by characters from the series, and goods featuring new illustrations will be on sale!

If you’re a fan of the series, you won’t want to miss taking a trip to Skytree in September!

On July 18, the upscale teppanyaki and yakiniku restaurant Honten Yamashina opened a new location in Ginza! The hybrid restaurant has taken over the entire top floor of GINZA PLACE, which is directly connected to Ginza Station. Overlooking the Ginza 4-chome intersection, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy some authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Honten Yamashina mainly uses fully-matured Omi beef, the highest grade available among Shiga Prefecture’s top-tier beef, from Okazaki Farm. The cows are allowed to fatten for a considerable amount of time and live stress-free lives for over 40 months. Less than 1% of all Wagyu cattle are shipped after 24 months of age, and this delectable meat is characterized by its sharp taste and fattiness. 

Luxurious Wagyu and Sea Urchin Sushi

Early Summer Plate to Enjoy with Seasonal Flowers

Selected Extra-thick Beef Tongue Steak Made with Refined Attention to Detail

Grilled Spiny Lobster Made on a Charcoal Grill

The Playful Yamashina Wagyu Slider

Melt-in-your-mouth Sweet Amala Tomato (Vegetable of the Day)

Hand-selected Omi Beef Steak

Truffle Omurice

Japanese-style Teppanyaki

Guests can enjoy authentic Japanese teppanyaki cuisine with a modern twist. While sitting at the contour, visitors will enjoy a live performance by Taku Osada, a teppanyaki chef with over 20 years of experience.  

The wide variety of meat can be enjoyed in a number of different ways, whether it be raw, grilled, stewed, or properly cooked. From tongue and rump to filet and sirloin, you won’t leave hungry. Visitors can also enjoy seafood and seasonal Japanese vegetables along with their meat, and the flowers and leaves that adorn each plate will change depending on the time of year.

In addition to rare teppanyaki dishes like skirt steak and 3cm-thick beef tongue, Honten Yamashina also offers some playful dishes such as sliders. As the temperature differs on different parts of the steel cooking plate, each item can be cooked to a temperature that maximizes its specific flavor. Honten Yamashina also has a massive cellar housin over 1,000 bottles of wine and hard-to-find spirits. 

Japanese-style Yakiniku

For those looking for a more private experience, guests can enjoy yakiniku in a completely separate room. Each private room has a grill that will cook meat to the perfect temperature, and only at Honten Yamashina can you enjoy fully-matured Omi beef. The signature cutlet sandwich is made with chateaubriand cooked at a low temperature and deep-fried in a thin batter, then served on crispy bread with a soft, fluffy interior.

Teppanyaki and yakiniku are typically thought of as meat-based dishes, but the restaurant can accommodate vegetarian guests if contacted in advance. 

When Japan opens up to tourism, will you be visiting this incredible restaurant in the heart of Tokyo?

The characters of Sumikko Gurashi are celebrating an incredible decade! A 10th-anniversary cafe will open in Tokyo on July 1 and in Osaka on July 22 for a limited time.

Sumikko Gurashi characters have become popular with children and adults alike. Anyone who enjoys cute goods has likely been aware of these little critters as they’ve continued to become a global phenomenon. In November 2021, the second Sumikko Gurashi film premiered to celebrate the franchise’s 10th anniversary, pulling in over a million viewers. 

Bonus for Guests Reserving a Spot in Advance / Purchase Bonus for Cafe Visitors

Menu at a Glance

10th Anniversary Celebration♪ Hamburger Plate

French Fry Bowl

Chilly☆Sumikko Shaved Ice

Sumikko Bouquet Parfait

Sumikko Milk Drink

Tapioca Orange Soda

Hot Cafe Latte

Takeout Menu

Sumi-cone Ice Cream (Limited Time Only)

Drink in Original Bottle

Original Goods

The cafe menu includes three unique items inspired by the popular characters Shirokuma, Penguin?, Tonkatsu, Neko, or Tokage. These treats range from parfait and ice cream to bowls of french fries and fluffy pancakes. Snap some photos of your favorite dishes for social media while you’re there, and pick up some exclusive 10th-anniversary merchandise!

© 2022 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Curious George Kitchen, located at Tokyo Solamachi, has unveiled a tropical summer menu along with new original merchandise! These goodies will be available from July 1 until September 25, 2022.

Bubbly & Colorful Fruit Punch: ¥1,480 (Tax Included)

‘Count the Stars’ Seafood Cream Pasta: ¥1,680 (Tax Included)

‘George Meets the Man in the Yellow Hat’ Drink Set with Figure: ¥1,800 (Tax Included)

The summer menu is perfect for those wanting to escape the heat, including colorful fruit punch and creamy seafood pasta utilizing seasonal ingredients.

‘I Love the Man in the Yellow Hat!’ Sicilian Lemon Cheese Cream Cannoli: ¥550 (Tax Included)

Colorful Grapa Panna Cotta: ¥450 (Tax Included)

Art Collection au Lait (Hot/Iced): ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

A refreshing Sicilian lemon cannoli is available for takeout, as well as a rich panna cotta topped with fresh cream and grape. The Art Collection au Lait includes a souvenir cup for customers to bring home!

Banana Stand: ¥3,280 (Tax Included)

Keychain: ¥690 each (Tax Included)

Apron: ¥4,950 (Tax Included)

New summer items are also available for purchase outside of the cafe. From a banana stand made of Japanese cypress to unisex T-shirts and even an apron, there’s something for everyone. Keychains with newly-drawn artwork have also appeared.

Chef George Swinging Stuffed Animal: ¥4,620 (Tax Included)

Menu Book Chocolate Cat Tongue: ¥1,080 (Tax Included)

An adorable Curious George stuffed animal and cute chocolate sweets inside of a book-like package will be available during this period. More details will be announced on the official Curious George Kitchen Twitter account.

Come enjoy summer with everyone’s favorite monkey and friends!

© Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved. Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H. A. Rey, are copyrighted and registered by HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C. and used under license. All rights reserved.

From June 25 until July 29, 2022, fans of Attack on Titan will want to visit Tokyo Solamachi at Tokyo Skytree! A special pop-up shop and collaboration cafe will welcome guests with exclusive merchandise and themed foods and drinks.

The original goods feature newly-drawn designs inspired by the Survey Corps’ rest outside the walls. These items can only be found here!

Please see the official website for store information, including more details about original goods and cafe menu purchase bonuses.

From April 2 to April 28, fans of the boys love series Given will want to visit Tokyo Solamachi! A pop-up shop and collaboration cafe celebrating the 2020 film is coming to the 4th floor Official TV Station Shop ~Tree Village~. 

In addition to goods featuring original illustrations and cafe menu items named after characters from the film, there will also be bonus items handed out to those purchasing goods and menu items. Life-size panels will be on display, so come take some photos for social media!

McDonald’s locations across Japan are now offering Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi Happy Meals for a limited time!

The Curious George set features six different toys that can be assembled and controlled by turning the gears. This year’s theme is inspired by creativity, shape recognition, and teaching children how things work. When the colorful gears on the toy are turned, the force is transmitted to the swing, Ferris wheel, seesaw, and other items, causing George to swing and spin! The first set of toys include ‘George’s Seesaw,’ featuring George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, and ‘George’s Swing,’ featuring George happily swinging back and forth. The second set will include ‘George’s Ferris Wheel’ and ‘George’s Rocket Ride.’

The Sumikko Gurashi includes six kinds of puzzles decorated with illustrations of popular characters. The theme of these toys is color and shape recognition, imagination, and communication. The front side of each puzzle shows Sumikko and Minikko, and the backside displays an illustration of a story related to a particular Sumikko character. By putting the pieces together one by one, children develop their ability to recognize shapes and move their fingers with increased dexterity. The inside of the case that comes with the puzzle is decorated with stories about Sumikko and her friends. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sumikko Gurashi, a new character called ‘Deshi’ will appear on the case as well, and by scanning the QR code on the back of the case, customers can play an original mini-game!

From January 8 until January 10, participating locations will also be giving away Curious George and Sumikko Gurashi stickers with the purchase of each set.