Fans of the comedy horror manga GeGeGe no Kitaro might be interested in some themed underpants. Popular brand HIPSHOP has announced a collaboration with Shigeru Mizuki’s legendary series to celebrate the creator’s 100th birthday, and preorders open online starting September 9. Items will be available at HIPSHOP locations nationwide starting September 16, as well as online at the HIPSHOP store, Rakuten, ZOZOTOWN, and Amazon.

The first season of GeGeGe no Kitaro began in 1968, while the most recent season aired in 2020. In total, six anime series have been aired over the years, with a number of films and video games also being produced.

Underpants

For this collection, Kitaro and his friends appear as they did in the third anime series, which aired in 1985. Fans can snag underpants featuring their favorite characters in bold colors. 

Packaging

The original packaging features a Japanese-style color lineup. Note the comical yokai designs on the back!

Shopping Bag

When purchasing items from the collection in stores, customers will receive a limited-quantity shopping bag featuring an original design of popular characters from every anime iteration of GeGeGe no Kitaro. 

Why not grab a pair of these hilarious underpants while supplies last?

(C)水木プロ・東映アニメーション　(C)水木プロ・フジテレビ・東映アニメーション

Tokyo City View, an incredible venue on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, will hold the first large-scale exhibition of GeGeGe no Kitaro creator Shigeru Mizuki’s works from July 8 to September 4, 2022. The event marks the creator’s 100th birthday, though Mizuki himself passed away in November 2015 at 93 years old.

During “The Yokai of Shigeru Mizuki: Nightly Procession of Monsters ~This is How the Monsters were Born~,” guests will be able to step into Mizuki’s world while also enjoying a breathtaking view of Tokyo. The exhibition will unravel how many of the manga creator’s monsters came to be, and a number of yokai-related books from Mizuki’s personal collection will be on display including The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons (Gazu Hyakki Yagyo) by Sekien Toriyama and A Discourse on Yokai (Yokai Dangi) by Kunio Yanagita. Over 100 of Mizuki’s yokai drawings will be on display.

Items at a Glance

Exclusive merchandise will be able to purchase on-site at the special shop ‘Nekoya.’ These items are only available during the exhibition!

From mugs and keychains to T-shirts and sweets, fans of Mizuki’s works will find something to love!

Visitors will be able to use the AR camera in the Street Museum XR sightseeing app to take photos with five yokai hidden within the venue. Using a smartphone, scanning certain key visuals will summon monsters, so don’t miss this neat addition to the event!

At the entrance, visitors will be greeted by bronze statues inspired by the yokai statues that line Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture, Mizuki’s birthplace, as well as windows decorated with lanterns bearing the names of different yokai. Using the AR camera, a giant Gashadokuro will appear (basically a huge and terrifying skeleton). In the final area of the exhibition, guests can snap a picture with the yokai they found along the way!

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How to Access the AR ‘Youkai Camera’
After installing the Street Museum XR sightseeing app, select ‘The Yokai of Shigeru Mizuki: Nightly Procession of Monsters” on the map of Tokyo and activate the AR camera.

*Guests must download the Street Museum app.
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/machikadowomyujiamuni-sutoritomyujiamu/id1151091144
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.toppan.streetmuseum.android

(C)水木プロダクション

In conjunction with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 31-show nationwide tour celebrating her 10th anniversary, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. At each stop, Kyary collaborates with a local company to help bring more attention to smaller regions and businesses. The details of the artist’s collaboration project in Fukushima have been revealed ahead of Kyary’s performance there on May 20, 2022.

In Fukushima, Kyary is teaming up with Kourakuen, one of Japan’s leading ramen chains dating back to 1954. For this collaboration’s logo, Kourakuen’s logo has been transformed as an homage to Kyary’s 2012 song Fashion Monster. The fan-favorite track has appeared in ad campaigns and is a must-play for the singer at concerts! 

Known for its tasty ramen and gyoza, Kourakuen has been a local favorite for almost 70 years. While the menu hasn’t changed too much since the early days, the chain is known for releasing some unique offerings, like chocolate Ramen on Valentine’s Day and natto miso ramen this spring. 

For this collaboration, fans can grab a branded Ramen Monster Spoon, perfect for slurping up your favorite bowl of ramen.

Those who want to grab this item will want to head to the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project online store by May 29. The spoon will also be sold in limited quantities at the Iwaki Aryan Arts & Culture Exchange Center Lobby in Fukushima on May 20. 

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. It will be available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project online store until May 29!

Fukushima Mono Mappu, a project run in collaboration with BEAMS JAPAN and Fukushima Prefecture, has revealed the contents of its 33rd installment! To promote the charms of Japan in collaboration with Fukushima Prefecture, BEAMS JAPAN has begun selling four new products, including specially-crafted Miharu Papiere-mache Ultraman masks.

Takashiba Deco Yashiki Daikokuya BEAMS JAPAN Special Products

Takashiba Deco Yashiki Daikokuya

Daruma dolls, self-righting dolls, and Akabeko toys are all known as pieces of Fukushima’s local culture. Takashiba Deco Yashiki brings together papier-mache craftsmen to create pieces of Miharu papier-mache, a traditional craft in Fukushima Prefecture for the last 300 years. BEAMS JAPAN has collaborated with a workshop that continues to make these local toys to this day to bring customers four styles of custom-made products. In honor of Fukushima-born Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Ultraman, the character’s mask has been cast in local Miharu papier-mache. 

The Fukushima Mono Mappu 2022 pop-up shop is now open at the BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku location! Visitors can buy special kitchenware along with local foods and beverages from Fukushima Prefecture, so be sure to visit!

Shirakawa Daruma Souhonpo in Fukushima Prefecture, which has been in business since the end of the Edo period, is now selling seven Tokyo Revengers-themed daruma. These good luck items are available both at Daruma Land on the second floor of S-PAL Koriyama in Shirakawa City and at the Shirakawa Daruma online store. 

Some characters available in Daruma form are Takemichi, Mikey, and Draken. Shirakawa Daruma Souhonpo, which has been in business for 300 years, makes use of Japanese traditional techniques to form each doll by hand. These palm-sized dolls are only 45mm long and are perfect for decorating any room. 

Let these Tokyo Revengers-themed good luck charms make this the best year ever!

Leather brand OJAGA DESIGN will release a line of Daruma keychains inspired by the popular series Chibi Maruko-chan! Maruko and Cojicoji keychains are now available for preorder at the brand’s online store.

OJAGA DESIGN features goods made in Japan, with each piece dyed, cut, and hand-sewn at a workshop in Tachikawa City, Tokyo.

These new keychains show the popular characters as Daruma, symbols of good luck in Japan. 

These lucky items come in six colors total, with Maruko available in red, white, or yellow, and Cojicoji available in red, white, or black. They can be used not only as a normal keychain, but as a bag charm or luggage tag!

©さくらプロダクション／日本アニメーション
© さくらももこ

From October 13 to October 27, artists are flocking to BONUS TRACK Gallery in Shimokitazawa to display some incredible works based on daruma, a type of lucky Japanese traditional doll. These works will also be up for sale in an online auction happening during the event period!

October 2020 Exhibition

October 2020 Exhibition

The motif of BONUS TRACK is the daruma, which are seen as symbols of perseverance and good luck in Japanese culture. This marks the third time that artists have been invited to create and sell their daruma-inspired works.

20% of the final bid price for each piece will be donated to various organizations. 30% will be given to the venue, while 50% will be given to the artists themselves. 

During the first event, donations went towards the Nippon Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund for Coronavirus. Other organizations supported include the Kitazawa Osekkai Club, a group involved in PTA and youth committee activities in the area, and Peace Wanko Japan, a dog protection organization in Hiroshima. 

Held within a charming wooden school building, the 16th Nishiaizu Art Village Exhibition is now open, featuring a large collection of works by the general public. The event will be open until October 10, 2021. 

The school building in question was closed in 2002 and is now used as a base for a number of activities throughout the year, such as galleries, local cultural exchanges, and a headquarters for green tourism. The small town of Nishiaizu in Fukushima prefecture is known as the ‘front door’ ‘to the Iide Mountains, and over 86 percent of the area is composed of mountains and forests. What could be more inspiring for artistic endeavors? 

In this year’s exhibition, 105 pieces are on display, with 57 contributed by the youth division and 48 from the general division. Young people and art lovers are invited to submit paintings and other works each year, promoting cultural exchange with visitors and highlighting talented creators from the area. At the event’s Maboroshi Restaurant, guests can enjoy curry, sandwiches, and other food and drinks on Saturday and Sunday during the exhibition period. 

haccoba launched its new sake brewery, haccoba -Craft Sake Brewery-, in February. It released its first product last Monday: a limited restock of Hanauta Drops, a sake that uses unrefined sake brewing methods which first originated in the Tohoku region.

Hanauta Drops

©︎ Puddle Inc.

Humulus lupulus hop

The sake crafted by haccoba uses the same techniques found in traditional Japanese sake brewing, including the rice and yeast used, but throws in a variety of fruits and herbs during the fermentation process. This upholds the traditional culture of Japanese brewery which was formerly carried out in homes while adding some fun flair. The brand plans to make its main product a fusion of hops used in beer making and classic Japanese crafting methods.

The secret ingredient that was so enjoyed in Japanese homes in the past when making sake is the humulus lupulus, a type of hop that makes this brewing process to making beer. Hanauta Drops uses the very same technique. It also enjoys a blend of yellow koji mold which has a sweetness similar to refined Japanese sugar found in rice, and white koji mold for a lemony tang. The result is a refreshing experience with every sip thanks to the bubbles that occur naturally during fermentation.

As part of The Pokémon Company’s ongoing Poké Lid project to place Pokémon manholes around the country, Fukushima has welcomed new Chansey design lids in nine places across the prefecture.

The first series of Poké Lids were place in the city of Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture back in December 2018. They were Eevee lids, and saw designs for all of the Pokémon’s evolutions. All of the Poké Lids feature completely original Pokémon designs making each individual one the only one in the world. Until now, 87 had been placed across 7 prefectures in Japan, with more set to roll out throughout 2020.

Back in March of this year, The Pokémon Company laid down Sandshrew and Alola Sandshrew manholes in Tottori Prefecture.

In February last year, Chansey was appointed as the “Fukushima Support Pokémon” for Fukushima prefecture help to support the prefecture by promoting information about it around Japan. To date, Chansey has toured the tourist and sightseeing hot spots of Fukushima, performed at events, and worked as PR across the country.

There are nine Chansey Poké Lid designs, all of which feature original artwork. There are plans to make each of them PokéStops for the mobile game Pokémon GO in the future.

©2020 Pokémon. ©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.

A daruma doll inspired by Amabie has been released by Hanjiro, a company that has been making Shirakawa daruma dolls for 300 years. The dolls were released exclusively online in Japan on April 27 and shipping will begin rolling out from May 6.

Amabie is a three-legged mermaid or merman in Japanese folklore that is set to emerge from the sea to warn of and bring good luck during epidemics. The creature has trended on Japanese social media recently in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Amabie Daruma – ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Each Amabie daruma doll is handcrafted individually using traditional Japanese methods. It comes in a pastel pink colour and is a great way to brighten up the mood during this dark time. The dolls were created with the prayer in mind for the pandemic to come to an end.

Nekoma Ski Resort, which is located on the northern slope of the Urabandai area, is holding a special spring ski event from March 30, 2020 called “Haru Nekoma ~Nekoma GO! GO! GO!”

The spring season at Nekoma Ski Resort is the time to enjoy the compacted snow berms, with lots of different kinds of berms to try out. So skiers can enjoy the snow berms that pile up in the early morning, the resort is open from from as early as 5:55, and there’s also snow lifts, so they can maximise their piste riding experience to the fullest. Skiers can enjoy the full view of Mount Bandaiーwhich is officially listed as one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japanーas well as Lake Inawashiro too as they hit the downhill ski trails.

Haru Nekoma ~Nekoma GO! GO! GO!

Running: March 30, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Times: [Weekdays] 7:30-15:00 / [Weekends & Public Holidays] 5:55-15:00

Lift Price: [1 Day Ticket] Adults ¥3,818 / Junior & High School Students ¥3,091 / Elementary School Students ¥1,909 (Before Tax)

Note: Dates and times subject to change depending on weather conditions

Ride the springtime pistes of Alts Bandai too

For the 2019-2020 season, you can ride the snow footpath that connects Nekoma Ski Resort to Alts Bandai. Go through the gate leading to it, walk through the Japanese beech trees for about 15 minutes, and you’ll arrive at the pistes in the deepest part of Alts Bandai which opens up to a spectacular view of Mount Bandai and the town of Inawashiro. Alts Bandai will be shut from March 29, but since there is still plenty of snow to ski down in the high-up pistes even in April, some of the lifts will still be operated. Enjoy a springtime walk and a springtime ski with the beautiful scenery before you with this special ski route.

Running: From March 20, 2020 until the snow melts

Gate Times: 10:00-13:30 (Last entries from Nekoma Ski Resort at 12:00)

Price: Free

Available Courses: Frozen 1, 2, 3 / Peak Lower 3 / Peak Lower 4

Note: A valid day ticket from Nekoma Ski Resort is required

Nekoma Terrace

Bask in the springtime weather at the foot of the pistes in the Nekoma Terrace which has its own bar. After an early morning ski, take a break and relax at the terrace with a drink in hand and soak up the scenery around you as the temperature warms through the day.

Spring Nekoma Terrace

Time: 10:00-14:00

Price: Alcohol ¥454 / Soft Drinks ¥182 (Before Tax)

Location: Nekoma Ski Resort Centre House

Spring discount tickets are also available, which can also be used at Alts Bandaiーwhich has the biggest pistes in Japanーuntil March 29. Ride across 189 hectares and enjoy 26 courses.

Spring Discount Tickets

Available: February 1, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Valid: March 1, 2020 – May 6, 2020

Price: Adults (20-23 Years) ¥20,000 / Junior & High School Students ¥10,909 / Elementary School Students ¥10,000 (Before Tax)

Sold at: Alts Bandai / Nekoma Ski Resort Official Homepage / Alts Bandai and Nekoma Ski Resort sites