The art collective TeamLab will hold the TeamLab Fukuyama Castle Festival of Light event at Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima Prefecture from December 2, 2022 to January 29, 2023. The exhibition will transform the stone walls, the tower, and the outside of the iconic castle, which is currently celebrating its 400th anniversary. Light art will transform the space in different ways depending on the number of guests and the weather. 

In August 2022, Fukuyama Castle recieved a major restoration with iron paneling installed on the north side, the only such restorative technique used on a Japanese castle to date. As guests walk around the keep, the included musical experience will change according to your walking speed and pace.

teamLab <Castle Tower> 

The stone walls of Fukuyama Castle will depict animals shaped by flowers as they continuously die and are reborn. When guests touch the flowers, they disperse; if they continue to touch and the flowers disperse too much, the animal dies and disappears.

Built during the Edo period, the castle survived the Meiji Restoration but was damaged heavily in WWII.

teamLab <Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives in the Stone Wall>

Ovoids made of light sit at the bottom of the castle. When pushed by a person or blown by the wind, these unique creations will change color and interact with the nearly ovoids, which will change to the same color and make a similar tone.

teamLab <Resisting and Resonating Ovoids on the Stones of Oblivion>

In the Sketch Generals section, visitors can draw historical warlords associated with Fukuyama Castle, including Katsunari Mineno, the first lord of the Fukuyama domain and builder of Fukuyama Castle, Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Nagamasa Kuroda, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Masahiro Abe. When the generals are touched, famous quotes appear in speech bubbles!

In addition, visitors can turn their own drawings of generals into pins that they can take home as souvenirs!

teamLab <Sketch Generals>

teamLab <Sketch Factory>

Several other works will be exhibited around the castle during the event as well.

The castle tower was designated a National Treasure in the early Showa era but was destroyed by fire in an air raid during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1966. 

teamLab’s Digitized City project has become popular across the world, allowing the art collective to utilize real-world locales to display artworks without damaging or altering the location chosen.

With its lengthy history, Fukuyama Castle is a magnificent canvas, transforming as both visitors and nature interact with the lights. People, animals, nature, and art can live side by side, without boundaries. Wouldn’t you like to come to visit this winter?

teamLab <Walk, Walk, Walk -Fukuyama Castle>

©チームラボ

Hiroshima PARCO is currently hosting Moomin Market 2022, an exhibition offering special merchandise inspired by the Finnish character Moomin. The event is open now at PARCO FACTORY in the facility’s main building until May 8, 2022. 

Selected Goods Lineup

The Moomins have continued to be loved by audiences around the world since the release of Tove Jansson’s novel The Moomins and the Great Flood in 1945. The event is offering a number of new goods, including those from the Moominmamma’s Rose series, which are perfect for Mother’s Day. Guests should also look forward to the Moomin House on display at the venue!

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her major label debut, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is staying active in 2022. The artist will perform at this year’s Coachella, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, and released her first full-length album in three years ‘Candy Racer’ in October 2021.  On January 16, Kyary embarked on the largest tour of her career, ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE,’ which will see the singer performing 30 shows across Japan. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the “LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project” was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities, and has been attracting major attention. Kyary’s tour is scheduled to visit Hiroshima on March 11, and the details of her next collaboration have been revealed!

Kyary will be collaborating with Nishikido, the largest manufacturer of Hiroshima Prefecture’s famous momiji manju. This tasty sweet is a buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf and filled with red bean paste. Nishikido’s well-known logo has been reimagined as a tribute to Kyary’s 2014 album Family Party.

A special box of momiji manju will include five pieces in both traditional red bean paste and cheese cream, and is a perfect souvenir for fans of the singer. This special product is available for pre-order at the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website and will also be on sale at the tour venue, Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall, on March 11. 

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. 

Headquartered in Nagoya, Kakuouzan Fruits Daifuku Benzaiten sparked the recent fruit daifuku boom. Founded in 2019, more than 70 locations have popped up throughout Japan, and these delectable sweets have been popping up on television, in magazines, and across social media. A limited-time pop-up shop is now open at Hiroshima T-SITE until February 4.

Benzaiten is also the famous birthplace of the ‘mochi-cutting thread.’ By cutting each piece with a thin string, visitors can create a beautiful cross-section perfect for posting to Instagram.

Each piece is made from white bean paste and rice to bring out the flavor of the fruit. With a light sweetness, these are treats that everyone will love.

Anime fashion brand R4G has collaborated with Tokyo Revengers to produce a lineup of limited collaboration items that will be sold in AZUL BY MOUSSY AEON MALL Hiroshima between October 8 and October 17.

TOKYO REVERSIBLE COACH JAKET ¥14,300 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS TEE　¥4,400 (Tax Incl.)

SCENE PHOTO TEE　¥4,400 (Tax Incl.)

SCENE PHOTO L/S TEE　¥5,500 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS CAP　¥3,300 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS RUBBER KEYCHAIN　¥660 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS COIN CASE　¥1,650 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS CREWNECK　 ¥6,600 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS SWEATPANTS　¥8,800 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS ACRYLIC STAND　Hanagaki Takemichi / Sano Manjirou / Ryūguji Ken 　¥1,650 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS CLEARFILE　Hanagaki Takemichi / Sano Manjirou / Ryūguji Ken / 3shot ¥550 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS STICKER　¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS RIBBON KEYCHAIN　花垣武道/佐野万次郎/龍宮寺堅　¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS FACE COVER(Reversible) ¥1,980 (Tax Incl.)

REVENGERS BADGE 75mm　¥550 (Tax Incl.)

A part of the store will be converted into a Tokyo Revengers pop up shop, with life-sized panels of Hanagaki Takemichi, Mikey (Sano Manjirou), and Draken (Ryūguji Ken) wearing the collaboration clothing. You’ll find yourself wanting to get dressed up and twin with your favorite character! A scene from the anime will also be set up as a photo spot, making it the perfect space for any Tokyo Revengers fan.

The AEON MALL Hiroshima Fuchu store will be stocking 14 designs overall, including printed T-shirts, a brand-new reversible coach jacket, keychains with pixel dotted logo and gang name designs, and a coin case with the words “TOKYO” and “REVENGERS” printed all across the fabric. These items are all limited edition and are only available for a short time, so be sure to pick them up while you can! Some pieces will be released online, so be sure to check it out.

©Wakui Ken・Kodansha / Anime ‘Tokyo Revengers’ Production Committee

Miniature photographer Tanaka Tatsuya, who has garnered attention from all across the world, will be holding the ‘MINIATURE LIFE 2 ~ Tanaka Tetsuya’s Lifelike World~’ exhibition between November 26 and December 13 in the Sougo Hiroshima 9F exhibition hall.

Event Limited Goods

Tote Bag

Mousepad

The popular “MINIATURE LIFE Exhibition” which captured the hearts of 1.5 million people within Japan and overseas, has returned with even more power than before. You’ll find a sushi roll train rolling along the tracks, a clip becoming a waiting room chair, and a hot-air balloon lettuce floating in the sky… Tanaka Tatsuya is a miniature photographer living in Kagoshima, who crafts a tiny and funny world by transforming everyday items.

Their unique and creative works will make you laugh and groan, transcending borders and attracting over 3.2 million followers on Instagram! Tanaka is spreading the joy of miniature art from Kagoshima to the world.

In this long-awaited second exhibition, around 170 works will be displayed, including some brand new pieces. Venue-limited merchandise and miniature dolls that feature in the artworks can be purchased at the event, so don’t miss out!

 Be sure to check out the ‘MINIATURE LIFE 2 ~ Tanaka Tetsuya’s Lifelike World~’ exhibition, where your everyday life will be transformed into a wonderful new world!

Illustrator Nagano’s popular character Chiikawa is coming to Hiroshima PARCO FACTORY (6F) from September 10 until September 26. Chiikawa no Mori will be the first large-scale exhibition for the tiny mouse and friends.

Guests to the venue will enter into a world taken over by the characters, and will be able to see a special movie made for the event, enjoy a Chiikawa photo booth, and more. Visitors will also be able to experience pulling weeds, as is mentioned so often in Chiikawa’s comics, and write messages to the characters.

Entrance photospot

Chiikawa Diagnosis

Trick art

Weed-pulling game

Bye Bye photospot

Message board

Entrance ticket pochette bag bonus

Weed-pulling game stickers

Exclusive shopping bag for customers spending over ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Chiikawa x Hiroshima Toyo Carp Exclusive Merchandise

A5-size Sticker Sheet: ¥880 (Tax Included) / Face Towel: ¥2,200 (Tax Included) / Tote Bag: ¥2,970 (Tax Included)
 

Acrylic Stand & Pin from Capsule Machine (6 varieties): ¥400 per try (Tax Included)

Cap (2 designs): ¥3,960 each (Tax Included)

T-shirt (3 designs): ¥3,190 (Tax Included)

Exclusive Chiikawa no Mori Postcard Book: ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

The event will feature a special collaboration with the Hiroshima Toyo Carps baseball team, with crossover goods only available during the exhibition. Other commemorative items, including a postcard book with visuals drawn specifically for the event, will be on sale at the goods corner.

Are you a Chiikawa fan? What message would you like to leave for the characters?

The poop-themed Unko Museum is heading to Hiroshima Marina Hop for a limited time from July 17 to September 12. The museum has been around both inside and outside Japan since 2019. It has popped up in Yokohama, Tokyo, Shanghai, Fukuoka, and online.

The museum is an educational facility that teaches visitors (also called poopers at the museum) everything they ever wanted (or didn’t want) to know about poo.

All the classic installations and facilities are making an appearance including the poop-spurting Unko Volcano, the Poopteractive Area which is filled with games, the Poopogenic Area which is covered in cute sparkly poo decorations, and more.

The Moomin Comic Strips Exhibition is set to run at Hiroshima Museum of Art from July 17 to September 5, showcasing approximately 280 comic drawings and sketches by Tove and Lars Jansson which have never been shown in Japan before.

The comics by Tove Jansson (1914-2001) began publication in the British newspaper The Evening News in 1954. With the help from her younger brother Lars Jansson (1926-2000), the series continued to be published for more than 20 years. At its peak, Moomin comics were published in over 40 countries, 120 newspapers, and read by 20 million people.

The Moomins are immensely popular in Japan and have enjoyed numerous exhibitions up and down the country. Fans will be delighted to lay their eyes upon artwork from Moomin Characters’ collection which have never been displayed in Japan until now.

Famous Japanese baumkuchen confectionery brand Nenrinya is set to appear at the upcoming baumkuchen exhibition that will take place at SOGO Hiroshima from March 18 to 23.

Nenrinya is a Ginza-based baumkuchen brand known for its iconic white noren entry curtain. Its high quality cakes are loved by the people of Tokyo, and now, the people of Hiroshima will get to tuck into their delights. The brand are serving their signature Mount Baum Firm Sprout, Straight Baum Soft Sprout, and their famous spring season Cherry Blossom Country Mount Baum.

Mount Baum Firm Sprout – Single Bag ¥756 / Whole ¥1,080

Nenrinya’s Mount Baum Firm Sprout is a butter-filled delight that’s crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This cake is baked over a long period of time to elevate its delicious flavour.

Straight Baum Soft Sprout – ¥1,080

This softer version has been described as a ‘castella-like baumkuchen.’ It’s a juicy cake made with lots of eggs.

Cherry Blossom Country Mount Baum – Slice ¥756

Each and every layer of this cherry blossom flavoured baumkuchen is carefully cooked to perfection. Its fragrance and colour is reminiscent of the Japanese cherry blossoms season and Hanami.

Japanese-style Rilakkuma cafe Rilakkuma Tea House will permanently open up its second shop in Itsukushima, Hiroshima.

Itsukushima shrine located in Miyajima of Aki is the symbol of the shop. The large, elegant scarlet shrine gate that floats in the water is built entirely of wood and is one of the most beautiful shrine gates in Japan. The main shrine building has a long, honourable history as a world heritage site. As it was built by the sea, the beautiful wooden structure is famous worldwide.

 The Rilakkuma Tea House represents the shrine’s traditional wooden architecture style and the warm atmosphere created by wood. Rilakkuma’s favourite food, honey, is also a main theme.

The healthy menu and Japanese-style dessert menu which are popular at the Rilakkuma Tea House will also be available at the Itsukushima cafe. There are also dishes that use Miyajima and Hiroshima’s famous delicacies including oysters and lemons. This is a flavour adventure you can only enjoy in Hiroshima!

Rilakkuma eel and oyster tempura gozen　¥1,580 (tax included)

Rilakkuma is taking a nap on a bed of fried eggs. Enjoy the crunchy eel and oyster tempura along with three varieties of traditional Japanese-style sides.

Yellow bird and fried oyster curry ¥1,280 (tax included)

This yellow bird is made from saffron rice and is topped with crispy fried oyster, which is the perfect match for the deep-flavoured curry!

There is also a dessert menu and a takeaway menu too! All the menus are packed with Hiroshima goodness!

Rilakkuma chilling out in the autumn leaves ー Japanese-style chocolate banana parfait　¥1,280 (tax included)

A bridge made from banana stretches over a valley of autumn leaves in a beautiful arch shape. The banana ice cream is complemented with gyuhi mochi cake and warabi mochi. The chewy texture of this Japanese parfait resembles banana daifuku cake!

Korilakkuma Seto Inland Sea lemon chiffon 　¥980  (tax included)

This is a fluffy chiffon cake that uses Seto Inland Sea lemons and honey. The cake is sprinkled with berries, and lemons slices decorate the cake to resemble flowers, creating a sweet yet sour flavour.

Delicious Rilakkuma/ Korilakkuma honey sandwich 　¥600  (tax included)

The Rilakkuma Brioche Bread and Korilakkuma White Bread are filled with different ice cream flavours! Those cute round eyes will win you over in no time! ♪

*Takeaway item

Rilakkuma autumn leaves manju (pack of 2)　¥350  (tax included)

These cute Rilakkuma autumn leaf-themed manju are an Itsukushima original!
*Takeaway item

Momiji manju (includes 8) 　¥1,200／Decorated wooden paddle（small, 5 patterns）　¥1,600 each／Kumano makeup brush ／small dish　(7 varieties) ¥800 each  (all prices with tax included)

There will also be Itsukushima Rilakkuma Tea House original goods! Of course, this includes the Itsukushima’s speciality momiji manju buns, momiji wooden paddles and art overflowing with Itsukushima’s specialities such as lemons!

There is just so much on the limited edition menu and there are just so many goods too! Check out the official website too! ♪

CHANEL is clashing with Japanese culture for a special event titled ‘CHANEL MATSURI’ that will take place in Tokyo, Kyoto and Itsukushima (Hiroshima). The Tokyo event began on September 28 and the Kyoto and Itsukushima events will start on October 31 and November 1 respectively.

The locations the events are taking place in feature the iconic look of a Japanese festival, or matsuri, taking on the theme ‘Red Celebration.’ Guests can look forward to enjoying the world of CHANEL makeup together with a string of content laced with a variety of red nuances and textures.

The “Touch Up Zone” is inspired by a Japanese yatai, a type of stall seen at festivals in Japan. Guests are free to try a range of makeup products including the Rouge Allure Liquid Powder and Rouge Allure Velvet Extrême which are on sale in Japan from October 5.

There will also be a range of events and games at the festival including “RED BALL” where people must scoop up super balls with a variety of tones and textures, “CHANEL KUJI” which will be a lottery-type game where red pieces of paper with numbers written on them are drawn, “SONBONBIKI” where people can receive a present depending in which red gradation thread they pick, and more. There will also be pre-sales of CHANEL’s newest Rouge Allure products which are set to be released in Japan on October 5.

Enjoy a celebration of makeup and Japanese culture at CHANEL MATSURI.