FUN’S PROJECT, a creator co-creation service operated by Dai Nippon Printing, has opened a limited-time pop-up store inspired by Hatsune Miku’s Mikaeri Bijin, or head-turning beauty, at the Tsutaya Bookstore in Shimokitazawa until October 30!   Guests can buy exclusive goods at the shop, with several incredible works on display. While Hatsune Miku has a famous song titled Mikaeri Bijin, the shop is also paying homage to the 150th anniversary of the Tokyo National Museum’s initiative to restore the original 17th-century Mikaeri Bijin ukiyo-e print by Hishikawa Moronobu and the Dancing haniwa, a pair of terracotta figures believed to have been made in the 6th century. A massive tapestry featuring Hatsune Miku looking elegantly over her shoulder was shown off at the National Museum for a limited time, receiving positive reviews. The illustrator, Rella, will have drawings and a personal interview on display, and a portion of the proceeds from merchandise sales will be used to repair important cultural assets.   Why not come grab a few unique items while you can for a good cause?

Sunday Brunch Shimokitazawa has announced a new limited-time collaboration menu inspired by Momoko Sakura’s Coji-Coji! The collab will run from October 7 until December 11, 2022. Previously, the restaurant held a Maruko & Coji-Coji Cafe that did extremely well in 2020, so there’s no doubt this will also be a huge success.   Guests can enjoy savory and sweet dishes along with drinks inspired by the adorable character. Some of these items were featured in the previous collaboration, and will only be available at the Shimokitazawa location. Plenty of characters will appear, and exclusive merchandise will be available at the store. There will be no reservations available, so be sure to show up early! More information will be available on the official Twitter page, so check back soon.  

Menu

Coji-Coji's Avocado and Nuts Taco Rice *Vegetarian Menu

Coji-Coji's Pumpkin Cream Udon *Vegan Menu

Jiro's Trifle

Coji-Coji's Secret Cake (6 varieties) *Cake and Drink Set

Land of Fairy Tales Sweets Set *Includes Drink

Coji-Coji's Cream Soda

Suzy and Buhi-Buhi's Cream Soda

Sunday Brunch Shimokitazawa has announced a new limited-time collaboration menu inspired by Momoko Sakura’s Coji-Coji! The collab will run from October 7 until December 11, 2022.   Coji-Coji has been a popular character in manga and anime for years, and this collaboration menu can’t be found anywhere else. Plenty of characters will appear, and exclusive merchandise will be available at the store. Previously, Sunday Brunch Shimokitazawa held a Maruko & Coji-Coji Cafe that did extremely well in 2020 and 2021, so there’s no doubt this will also be a huge success!   ©️さくらももこ ©️ M.S

Sauna Town Shimokitazawa, a sauna event currently being held at a special vacant lot event space in the popular Tokyo neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, will hold a collaboration event with the Odd Taxi anime series from February 26 until March 19, 2022!   The visual was inspired by the concept of ‘Odokawa visiting Sauna Town,’ and features an illustration of the man himself wearing a Sauna Town T-shirt and holding bath goods in his hand.  

Odokawa Transport Promo Towel: ¥700 (Tax Included)

Clear Folder (Odd Taxi x Sauna Town): ¥1,000 (Tax Included)

3-piece Sticker Set (Odd Taxi x Sauna Town): ¥600 (Tax Included)

    A total of five collab items will be sold at the event space, including a promo towel, clear folder, and sticker set.   To commemorate the release of the upcoming Odd Taxi in the Woods film on April 1, guests can also purchase special cards to give them a ¥100 discount off one purchase. An Odd Taxi panel will also be set up as the perfect photo spot for fans, so be sure to check it out!   © P.I.C.S. / 映画小戸川交通パートナーズ

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. 

UDS HOTELS is set to open YUEN BETTEI DAITA, a new onsen ryokan (hot spring Japanese inn), in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, on September 28, 2020. The hotel is just a 1-minute walk from Setagaya-Daita Station and an 8-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station. YUEN BETTEI DAITA sits in a quiet location surrounded by old, historical Japanese houses and is basked in nature. It houses 300 guest rooms and has open-air baths, a spa, and offers traditional Japanese food the tea ceremony.   The inn is equipped with considerate facilities and has a relaxed atmosphere. It caters to modern day needs while still promising a traditional Japanese inn experience. And it doesn't have to be just used as a hotel either - guests can just spend the day there in the hot springs if they like, allowing locals to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and their busy Tokyo lives.  

The Design

YUEN BETTEI DAITA bases itself on the appearance of residences seen back in Tokyo back in the day. The hotel has taken in furniture and materials that were inherited in a thatched-roof residence in Setagaya which has over a 100 year history, which gives a nod to the history and culture of traditional Japanese architecture, while still incorporating more modern techniques in the wooden roofing and other areas. All of this combines to create a sophisticated Japanese culture-imbued space.  

Guest Rooms

There are 35 guest rooms in total, each coming in one of seven types ranging from 19㎡-32㎡. The rooms open up into a tatami and seating area. Guests are provided with yukata and leather-soled geta shoes, and are treated to Japanese tea and confections from local shops.。

Open-air onsen baths (1st Floor)

The large open-air baths receive water from Odakyu Hotel de Yama's own water source in Hakone. Guests can enjoy looking at a traditional Japanese garden while they bathe and listen to the sound of the water from Mount Fuji. The female baths also have scented mist saunas while the male baths have dry saunas.  

Cooking & Tea Ceremony (1st Floor)

Kappou Tsukikage Enjoy seasonal vegetables harvested from the local farms in Setagaya as well as Japanese sake and wine chosen to pair perfectly with the dishes.   Saryou Tsukikage Guests can also experience the Japanese ceremony with local tea. Daita was once rich with tea farms, and so guests can look forward to enjoying delicious and authentic tea.  

SOJYU spa

If guests want to relax the hotel's SOJYU spa offers full body massage, original essential oil treatments, and much more. The spa will also be open to non-guests from spring next year.