Doraemon’s Mirai Department Store, Doraemon’s official shop, has announced a limited edition black tea flavored with the character’s favorite food: dorayaki! The tea and four special themed plates will be available starting November 11, 2022. The tea itself is provided by the tea specialty shop LUPICIA. 

Doraemon’s Mirai Department Store Black Tea (Dorayaki Flavor)

Doraemon’s Mirai Department Store is now offering this special tea in an adorable themed tin.

The flavor of the tea is inspired by Doraemon’s favorite food, dorayaki, a sweet Japanese pastry filled with red bean paste. The gorgeous blue and red toppings blended into the tea leaves were inspired by Doraemon himself, and fans will want to enjoy a cup as they lose themselves in the classic manga or anime series.

Doraemon’s Mirai Department Store Tasty Plate (4 varieties)

These 14cm square plates are perfect for snacks with tea. Dishwasher-safe, fans can pick from four designs, each showing Doraemon enjoying some tasty treats. 

©Fujiko-Pro

Since its start in 2007, the Snoopy tea brand SNOOTEA has remained popular with Peanuts fans and tea fans alike. Typically, the brand has sold black tea in cute tins featuring Snoopy and his friends.

Starting November 7, fans can purchase a special Chocola tea made by tea blender Shuntarou Kumazaki. Blended to suit Japanese water and inspired by the world of Peanuts, it promises to be the perfect flavor for the holidays.

Made with cacao nibs, the flavor of standard black tea is punctuated with a chocolate aroma. The tea leaves themselves come from India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, and are blended together in a balanced way to create an appealing taste that will have tea lovers coming back again and again. This blend is also perfect for making milk tea, and fans can even add whipped cream and marshmallows. This tea also goes well with strawberries, oranges, bananas, and other fruits, as well as nuts!

Snoopy and his friends dressed in winter attire will appear on each tin, adding to the festive holiday spirit. On the online store, customers can also find Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Apple Tea, and other varieties.

© 2022 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Shohaku Art Museum in Nara will be exhibiting works by Uemura Shoen, Shoko, and Atsushi from September 6 until November 27. This will include sketches and rare works by these classical Japanese artists, many of which will be shown for the first time in two years.

Hanagatami. Uemura Shoen, 1915

Hanagatami (Rough Sketch) Uemura Shoen, 1915

Yang Guifei. Uemura Shoen, 1922

Tsudumi no Oto. Uemura Shoen, 1940

Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons. Atsushi Uemura, 2010. 

The museum has a large number of valuable materials in its collection, including drafts, miniatures, and drawings by Shoen and Shoko. Even the drafts by Shoen are meticulously crafted, down to each and every crease in the kimonos. By viewing the original sketches with the final paintings, guests can feel the emotion that went into them. The exhibition also provides a glimpse of how Shoko and Atsushi deepened their understanding of their subjects through sketching. Fans of Japanese artwork shouldn’t miss this valuable exhibition!

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?

Terrace Dining TANGO, located at the base of Tokyo Tower, will begin selling three unique flavors of shaved ice for summer starting on July 1! These tasty treats will only be available until August 31, so be sure to visit while you can.

WA! Bear

TANGO’s original shaved ice is popular every summer, and in 2022, customers can grab a bear-shaped treat made with brown sugar syrup and condensed milk.

Strawberry Milk ~Rose Scented~

Made with fluffy ice and homemade strawberry sauce, this delectable treat is topped with condensed milk and smells like sweet roses. Inside, customers will find rose gelato and strawberry compote.

Taiwanese Pineapple and Coconut

This fluffy shaved ice is topped with coconut milk, Taiwanese pineapple, and a generous dollop of sweet sauce. The ginger adds a spicy accent, keeping it interesting until the final bite.

Terrace Dining TANGO is attached to The Place of Toyo, a wedding hall overlooking Tokyo Tower. The shaved ice, available only during the summer, is made of natural ice that has been filtered and frozen slowly for 48 hours to create a fluffier texture. Each is served with a special sauce made by the restaurant’s pâtissier.

Come enjoy these sweets that make summer a little more fun!

In April, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu made a big splash around the world when she performed at Coachella, one of the largest music festivals in the United States. 

The second half of the singer’s 10th anniversary nationwide tour 31-show has begun, gaining even more momentum following the announcement of a solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. As with past concert locations, a new collaboration has been announced following Kyary’s June 5 performance in Nara.

During the late Meiji period, persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi became a local delicacy during the summer months in Nara after the delicacies began popping up at a shopping district near JR Gojo Station. In 1973, Kakinohasushi Hompo Tanaka officially opened its doors, selling this delicacy for dine-in or carry-out. Kyary has collaborated with this famous local treat, transforming the shop’s logo into a new version inspired by the singer’s 2014 song Kira Kira Killer. The jacket art originally featured Kyary with a collection of bizarre hairstyles, but these have been turned into persimmon leaves for the collab.

During the collaboration period, fans were able to buy specially-branded packages of Kirakira Persimmon Leaf-wrapped Sushi. While the leaves themselves aren’t edible, they act to preserve the sushi for days without refrigeration. This version contains mackerel and vinegar-soaked rice. The sushi was sold in limited quantities at Nara Centennial Hall, the venue of Kyary’s June 5 concert.

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only starting June 3. Support Japanese businesses and pick one up while you can!

The pandemic has caused problems for people all over the world. Mental health has taken a beating over the last few years, and in order to help people take back control of their mental wellness, The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto will begin offering immersive meditation rooms for guests only! These rooms will allow guests to enjoy a soothing private space and will be available starting April 1, 2022.

Blank meditation 

tea mediation 

The Medicha meditation rooms consist of two spaces: ‘blank,’ where guests are surrounded by mist, and ‘tea,’ where guests will immerse themselves in beautiful water patterns. An original program shown on in-room televisions at the hotel will also instruct guests in the art of meditation. 

In ‘Blank Meditation,’ guests will stand in a cool mist and immerse themselves in layers of diverse sounds and shifting colors of light. This will help quiet the mind and create a ‘blank slate’ mentally. 

The ‘Tea Meditation’ room invites visitors to spend time with themselves while getting lost in shimmering water patterns in a dimly lit space as they carefully brew their own tea. Two types of tea are on offer, each with distinct aromas and flavors.

A popular stationery event held last year is back! The pop-up space on the first floor of Tsutaya Books Nara has been filled to the brim with unique stationery items from a number of creators. Guests can grab these inspiring items from March 15 until April 17, 2022.

echos

Visitors can use a variety of printing techniques like letterpress and foil stamping at echos. Connect with your loved ones through printing and design, and show your creativity!

These nostalgic yet new paper products pull from Showa-era illustrators to give an authentic antique feel. 

Osoblanco

This general store and gallery is located in Nanba, Osaka. The shop mainly deals in original handmade goods, antique European tools, and merchandise by illustrator makomo. Both store owners are stationary lovers, and they have recently begun offering a wide selection of paper products of all genres and styles.

Otome Printing

Otome Printing makes paper goods by printing each sheet of paper one color at a time on a letterpress! The handmade printing gives each sheet a one-of-a-kind feel by virtue of the indentation of the printing plate, ink blurring, and crooked prints. The lineup includes postcards, letterheads, pouch bags, and gift bags decorated with these unique prints.

Printing Studio Tan

Printing Studio Tan has been making Nara-inspired letterpressed pieces since it opened its doors. The symbol for ‘tan’ refers to the color of red earth, symbolizing the values of ancient Nara, once the central city of Japan. The company’s products feature ancient patterns associated with classic Japanese culture. 

Kei Printing

Kei Printing, with a factory in Kobe, offers delicate items with incredible attention to detail. With the goal of designing ‘memorable printed materials,’ customers are sure to find items that will help them to express themselves. 

Yonagadou

With a storefront located in Tenmabashi, Osaka, Yonagadou also has a small gallery in the back featuring items from both Japan and abroad. The shop offers a wide variety of small items, from Taisho and Showa-inspired paper goods, handkerchiefs, and more. 

This year, paper lovers will find an array of products using letterpress printing. Many items were also inspired by Nara, so travel lovers will also be thrilled!

Established in 1716, Nara-based store Nakagawa Masashichi will release two types of open-air tea ceremony sets in limited quantities at its online store and select locations around Japan on April 6, 2022.

The last time the shop released these items in 2020, they sold out instantly. The set is a collaboration with Snow Peak, a manufacturer of high-quality outdoor goods, and Salon, a brand attempting to get more young people involved in tea ceremonies by injecting the tradition with a modern touch.

The coating around the light and strong titanium teacup is made of a sturdy cotton canvas often used in outdoor tools. Each of the eight items in the set were made with the ruggedness of nature in mind while also preserving traditional beauty. The double set is a new addition to the lineup and includes two tea bowls and two confectionary bowls to make entertaining others more simple.

Open-air tea ceremonies date back to the Muromachi period, and in the Sengoku period, it is said that tea was served in the mountains during the march of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. These ceremonies are traditionally less formal than the indoor version, so it’s easier for those new to the experience to relax and enjoy!

Two limited-time-offer collaboration cafés named “Nintama Rantaro Chaya” are coming to Tokyo and Osaka! The Tokyo location is now open, and the Osaka location is scheduled to open on February 18. Based on the long-running anime series Nintama Rantaro, this cafe invites guests to enjoy the falling cherry blossoms set to bloom in the spring. While the series hasn’t found much popularity outside of Japan, it premiered in 1993, and continues to be a big hit with kids and adults alike!

Reservation Bonus: Original Sticker Sheet (3 varieties)

Drink Order Bonus: Original Coaster (20 varieties)

Menu

[Bento Team] Piping Hot Dashi Udon and Onigiri Bento Set

[Bento Team] Mountain & Seafood Bento

[Dumpling Team] Chicken Meatball Set

[Teahouse Team] Chouji & Isaku’s Chazuke Set

Desserts

[Bento Team] Cherry Blossom Viewing Sweets Set

 [Dumpling Team] Two Peas in a Pod Anmitsu

 [Dumpling Team] Shaved Ice and Sweet Dango Set

 [Teahouse Team] Traditional Garden Plate

Drinks

Free Tea　

Shinbei’s Dango Latte / Rantaro’s Matcha Milk / Kirimaru’s Shiny Lemon Soda

Fourth Grade Transforming Drink / Fifth Grade Purple Sweet Potato Milk Tea / Sixth Grade Matcha Lemonade

Original Merchandise

Pin (20 varieties, random)

Acrylic Keychain (20 varieties, random)

Acrylic Pin (20 varieties, random)

Acrylic Stand (Bento Team, Teahouse Team, Dumpling Team)

Clear Folder Set (Set of 3)

10-piece Sticker Set A, 10-piece Sticker Set B

The cafe menu has been divided into three ‘teams’: the Bento Team, the Dumpling Team, and the Teashop Team. Characters have been divided into these three teams, and many of the available dishes are based on everyone’s favorite aspiring ninjas! Original merchandise and special offers will be available at the cafe as well, with the items featuring newly-drawn illustrations for the event.

©尼子騒兵衛／ＮＨＫ・ＮＥＰ

Those familiar with the Ginza district of Tokyo will recognize the iconic Wako clock tower. The department store sells everything from watches to chocolates, and on the second floor of the Wako Annex, guests will find the Tea Salon. The bright and relaxing place invites adult shoppers to enjoy seasonal sweets, with its popular Strawberry Parfait constantly reinvented depending on the time of year.

This season’s strawberry parfait includes pistachios and local fruit. For a limited time, guests can also enjoy the Lychee and Raspberry Parfait until the end of February. A Fruit Parfait is available in March and April, and the Chocolate Parfait is available year-round.

At the Wako Annex Tea Salon, visitors can also enjoy light meals alongside tea and coffee specially blended for Wako by Yoshiaki Kawashima, known as the ‘coffee hunter.’

Strawberry Parfait

Lychee and Raspberry Parfait

Fruits Parfait

Chocolate Parfait

ティーサロンのメニューの中でも人気の高い、季節限定のパフェを堪能してみては？

The domestic crowdfunding service Makuake has opened preorders for a unique new product: ‘tea crayons,’ made from tea leaves that would otherwise be thrown away. These will be available for purchase from January 31 until March 21, 2022, and a set of teas specially blended by tea masters will also be available to buy on the site. 

Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea): These leaves have a light brown color reminiscent of the color of a roasting fire.

Sencha (Green Leaf Tea): Asamiya, known as one of Japan’s five most famous tea-producing areas, produces sencha exclusively. This yellow color is to be expected of the variety.

Kabusecha (Covered Tea): The pride of Tsuchiyama, these tea leaves are cultivated by covering the fields to produce a sweeter taste. Kabusecha is characterized by its vivid green color.

Gyokuro (High-Quality Green Tea): To produce this fine tea, the land is covered for more than 20 days in a very time-consuming process. Gyokuro has a strong, sweet flavor, and can be recognized by its darker green color.

Matcha (Powdered Green Tea): Matcha from Shiga Prefecture is not very well known throughout Japan, but it is extremely tasty and is popular in tea ceremonies. It also has a beautiful dark green color.

Yasuharu Maeno, a tea master, includes the names of each region and species of tea leaves used.