The factory-tour produced by Oyaizu Seiichi Shoten “Ochaya no ‘Kojo Kengaku/Taiken Tour (factory observation/experience tour)’” is gaining much popularity nowadays (the number of the visitors increased more than three times over last year.)
“Kojo Kengaku/Taiken Tour” is a tour where you can enjoy observing the tea-making factory/tea-keeping refrigerator, receiving an explanation about the different varieties of tea and experiencing a tea-packing event.
They started to receive sightseeing buses since they wanted to introduce the allurement of “ocha,” (tea) the traditional drink of Japan and many people from both inside and outside of Shizuoka Prefecture are visiting this factory.
Many visitors say, “I can smell the good scent of tea” as soon as the shutter of the storage opens and shout “Wow, it’s so cold!” when they enter the tea-keeping refrigerator.
Also, you can drink freshly made teas, taste “Maccha Baumkuchen ‘CHIYO no Wa’” which won the first place in Rakutenichiba (Internet shopping site) and the 2015 Gourmet Taisho Award and enjoy a tea-packing event.
■Information
Ochaya no “Kojo Kengaku/Experiential Tour”
Date: throughout the year (except December)
Fixed holiday: Sunday/holidays
Time: 9:30 to 16:00 (last reception 15:00)
Maximum headcount: 5 to 100 persons per group
Reservation: 10 days before the day that you want to visit
Time required: about an hour (the length of the time can be adjusted)
Venue: Oyaizu Seiichi Shoten
Parking lot: free
Entrance fee: free, tea packing event – 500 yen per one trial
<Reservation/Contact>
Oyaizu Seiichi Shoten
TEL:054-259-6775(8:30~17:30)
Person in charge: Yokoyama Ishikawa
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Concert Report: ATARASHII GAKKO! Mesmerizes Packed Crowd in St. Paul during the Final U.S. Performance of the Seishun Tour
Upon my arrival on Thursday, November 16, I wondered if the intimate space of the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota would be able to contain the massive personalities of ATARASHII GAKKO! The four members never hold back–either on or off the stage, it seems–and as fans began to arrive en masse, it was clear that the Twin Cities wasn’t lacking a fanbase for the dance-vocal group currently taking the world by storm. Just under three weeks prior, ATARASHII GAKKO! had performed for a whopping 8,000 fans at their first arena concert, held at the famed Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Now, they were preparing to walk out to a crowd of only a few hundred, most with cocktails in hand and lyrics memorized. The majority of the concertgoers seemed more than passingly familiar with the group, though a few bewildered onlookers couldn’t possibly have been prepared for what the night would bring. Needless to say, although the stage was quaint, the concert was anything but. None of the members’ usual energy had diminished, and despite this being the final stop on the U.S. portion of the tour, there wasn’t a hint of fatigue to be found during the hour-long set. The show was sold out weeks in advance, and plenty of eager fans equipped with glowsticks and wearing the group’s signature socks rushed toward the stage to secure the best spot. Other attendees swarmed the merch booth, eager for a hoodie or bag to show their pride. For the show to be standing room only was a boon–it’s unlikely anyone in the audience could have remained seated once the four girls appeared following the intro, quickly leading into the high-energy number Seishun wo Kirisaku Hado. Fans were instantly chanting in unison, responding eagerly as Suzuka addressed the room, her enthusiasm bordering on contagious. Nine years after its formation, ATARASHII GAKKO! Recently announced that the group would be making its Kouhaku debut at this December’s 74th Kouhaku Uta Gassen. The New Year's Eve staple features performances from the most popular musical acts of the year, proving that the group has found its footing both domestically and abroad. Fans swatted balloons around and jumped in time to the beat as saisyu jinrui, one of the group’s older songs, began to a sea of applause. Suzuka, Rin, Mizyu, and Kanon didn’t seem phased to hear the largely American audience singing along in Japanese, though their appreciation and joy were palpable as they moved in perfect unison. CANDY and The Edge followed, with the members taking turns asking the audience to raise their hands or clap along. Anyone who wasn’t already a fan was likely converted by the commanding energy sweeping the room, making it impossible not to move along. During the MC portion, the members showed off their English, asking the audience “do you know Seishun?” They explained that it means “to live your life to the fullest,” and quickly invited the audience to celebrate this important idea. Throughout the show, they would often initiate a call and response, teaching those assembled a few words in Japanese and expressing their interest in returning to America for another tour in the future. Given how quickly the tickets sold out this time around, the sky’s the limit for concerts in the future. In January, ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at Nippon Budokan for the first time, ushering in a new era of popularity for the four members. It makes me wonder what massive U.S. venues may someday play home to another of their unforgettable shows. Madison Square Garden? Radio City Music Hall? The Hollywood Bowl? As the question “Suki?” rang out, the crowd cheered, as Suki Lie has become a fan favorite since its release earlier this year. The girl’s choreography, as usual, was a highlight of the show, with Fantastico and the Yohji Igarashi remix of Pineapple Kryptonite quickly sending the audience into a rhythmic frenzy. Just in front of me, I watched a couple mimic the vast majority of moves in perfect unison, taking time to laugh and joke when they failed to hit the mark. That’s the essence of ATARASHII GAKKO!–fun. The group represents ‘fun’ in its purest form, asking fans to recall the freedom of youth and to reach out to grasp it one more time, without fear of failure or embarrassment. Dance as if no one is watching, sing along in a language you cannot understand, and dress up in a school uniform despite being in your upper 30s. Why not? As expected, the entire building shook as fans marched along during the group’s newest release Tokyo Calling. It had been enough of a warm-up, and as each of the girls placed a hand behind their heads, Otona Blue, the group’s magnum opus, rang out to a sea of screams. The track has amassed an incredible response on TikTok over the past year; this, despite being released way back in 2020. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed the song on THE FIRST TAKE, with the YouTube video now sitting at 50 million views. Everyone likely woke up with a sore neck after mimicking the classic choreography during the chorus. After the explosive energy of WOO! GO! and NAINAINAI, the girls began to say their goodbyes, asking their fans to visit Japan someday and promising to return to St. Paul sometime in the future. Exiting the stage, they returned only a few minutes later after the audience demanded an encore, this time dressed more casually and eager to chat with a few fans at the front, one of whom was holding up a skilled drawing of Suzuka. The singer accepted the gift gladly, with other fans handing bouquets to the other members. As the lights in the venue brightened, the group snapped a few photos with the audience, creating the perfect keepsake for such a perfect night. No one wanted such an energetic time to end, and the group knew just how to bid farewell to America–with the lively rock track Free Your Mind. The venue became a sea of clapping hands, and the concert came to a close on the highest possible note. With a performance at Kouhaku fast approaching and their first-ever Budokan show only two months away, it’s almost certain that ATARASHII GAKKO! will return to the U.S. in the future. Until then, American fans will continue to support these four powerhouses from afar, eager for the day we meet–and dance–again. Report: Carley Garcia -
After releasing the new MANINGEN EP on August 16, the members of ATARASHII GAKKO! announced that they would embark on their first overseas tour, ATARASHII GAKKO! The SEISHUN Tour, this November. The group’s song OTONABLUE has reached an astounding 3.1 billion views on TikTok, winning the TikTok Trending Award for the first half of 2023 with over 14 million followers on the social media site. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed in New York in May and at the Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles in July, continuing to make headlines. Their tour will kick off at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles and continue for 10 shows across North America, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Before embarking on their global tour, the group will perform a solo show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on October 29. Tickets sold out quickly, and the group’s more dedicated fans can’t wait for the rare opportunity to see ATARASHII GAKKO! perform solo in Japan.
Information
ATARASHII GAKKO! The SEISHUN Tour
(All dates local time)
11/7 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
11/8 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
11/10 New York, NY- Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/11 Washington, D.C.- Black Cat
11/13 Toronto, ON- The Axis Club
11/15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
11/16 St. Paul, MN- Amsterdam Bar & Hall
11/18 Mexico City, MX- Corona Capital (https://www.coronacapital.com.mx/)
12/2 Hong Kong- Clockenflap Festival (https://www.clockenflap.com/) *Tickets available anytime
12/3 Bangkok, TH- Maho Rasop Festival (https://www.mahorasop.com/) *Tickets available anytime[Tickets]
Spotify Presale: August 17, 2:00AM ~ Limited 1-day sale
General Sales: August 18, 10:00AM (August 19, 2:00AM JST)Special Tour Site
https://atarashiigakko.com/atarashii-gakko-the-seishun-tour<NEW EP>
MANINGEN EP – ATARASHII GAKKO!
Release Date: August 16【Tracklist】
M1: MANINGEN
M2: KOIBUMI
M3: Que Sera Sera
M4: OTONABLUE – From THE FIRST TAKE
M5: NERAIUCHI (50 th anniversary cover)Streaming URL: https://lnk.to/MANINGEN_EP
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Idol group FRUITS ZIPPER will embark on its first nationwide tour, FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-, this September. FRUITS ZIPPER has been climbing to the top of the idol scene at a breakneck pace. Their first overseas solo performance in Taiwan was recently a huge success, and tickets for their first anniversary live shows at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo and Namba Hatch in Osaka in May sold out immediately after going on sale. The tour will begin with a concert in Osaka on September 3, followed by performances in Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Kanagawa. Tickets for the presale lottery are now on sale for members of the KAWAII LAB fan club. FRUITS ZIPPER’s single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, released last year, has inspired over 700 million related videos on TikTok, while the music video has been viewed over 10 million times. Keep an eye on their activities in the near future!
Information
FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-
Date: September 3, 2023
Venue: Zepp Namba / Osaka
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: Kyodo Information – 0570-200-888Date: September 5, 2023
Venue: Zepp Nagoya / Aichi
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Sunday Folk Promotion – 052-320-9100 (12:00~18:00)Date: September 8, 2023
Venue: Zepp Fukuoka / Fukuoka
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Kyodo West Japan – 0570-09-2424 (11:00~15:00 / Closed on Sundays and Holidays)Date: September 10, 2023
Venue: BLUE LIVE HIROSHIMA / Hiroshima
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: YUMEBANCHI (Hiroshima) – 082-249-3571 (Weekdays 12:00~17:00)Date: September 13, 2023
Venue: PENNY LANE24 / Hokkaido
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Mount Alive – 011-623-6555Date: September 16, 2023
Venue: KT Zepp Yokohama / Kanagawa
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: HOT STUFF PROMOTION – 050-5211-6077 (Weekdays 12:00~18:00)[Tickets]
VIP Standing: ¥16,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
miniVIP Standing: ¥7,700 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
General Standing: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
2F Reserved Seat: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
*Available tickets for Hiroshima and Hokkaido are VIP and General Standing onlyKAWAII LAB. Fan Club Presale Tickets (Lottery)
Entry Period: April 10 at 21:00 ~ April 17 at 23:59
URL: https://kawaiilab.asobisystem.com/
*Up to 2 tickets available per person per showNew information will be announced on the official FRUITS ZIPPER social media pages when available.
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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will embark on her world tour POPPP in May, performing in seven cities around the world. Trackmaker and DJ Moe Shop, a leader in the world of Future Funk, will appear as the opening act for three U.S. tour dates.
Moe Shop's unique fusion of French house music and Japanese pop and club tunes has earned the artist over 26 million views per year on YouTube and over 31 million views per year on Spotify, making them one of the most popular electronic music artists around the globe. The artist has gone on record to say that they have been largely influenced by Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s producer, and their addictive sound is making waves in both Japan and abroad.
To celebrate this incredible collaboration, a playlist of songs selected by Moe Shop is now available on Spotify. Be sure to give it a listen!
【Spotify】Kyary Pamyu Pamyu meets Moe ShopInformation
▼Moe Shop Performances
May 15
New York|Webster Hall
https://www.axs.com/events/471702/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-tickets
May 17
Los Angeles|The Novo
https://www.axs.com/events/471552/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-tickets
May 19
Chicago|Anime Central
https://www.acen.org/registration/
▼Other Performances
June 2
Barcelona|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Parc del Forum
https://www.primaverasound.com/
June 5
Paris|Cabaret Sauvage
https://www.seetickets.com/fr/d/event/kyary-pamyu-pamyu/cabaret-sauvage/8769451
June 7
London|London EartH Hall
https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/kyary-pamyu-pamyu
June 9
Madrid|PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Ciudad del Rock
https://www.primaverasound.com/
Tour Website
http://cw.kyary.asobisystem.com/
<LINKS>
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Official Website: kyary.asobisystem.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/pamyurin
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kyary_official
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyarypappa/
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/kyaryofficial/
Facebook (English): https://www.facebook.com/KPP.FC/
Fan Club: https://kyary.net
Moe Shop
Twitter: twitter.com/korewamoe
Instagram: www.instagram.com/korewamoe/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCcKTRoHPP2hPaom63QGaiBw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/moeshopmusic/
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/moeshop
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The Kyary Pamyu Pamyu World Tour 2023, titled POPPP, will begin this May! This will be the singer’s first world tour in five years, as last year’s planned international tour was canceled. Kyary will perform in six cities–New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and London. The Spain shows will take place during the massive Primavera Sound music festival. In 2022, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu performed as the final act on the Gobi Stage at Coachella, the world’s largest music festival held in Indio, California. The artist received accolades from both the American audience and viewers from around the world. This year, Kyary is continuing to attract attention as the first Japanese solo artist to be featured in Global Spin, an original showcase of artists from around the world made by the Recording Academy in the U.S., the organizer of the Grammy Awards.
Information
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu WORLD TOUR 2023 – POPPP –
May 15, 2023
New York, U.S. – Webster Hall
https://www.axs.com/events/471552/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-tickets?skin=websterhallMay 17, 2023
Los Angeles, U.S – The Novo
https://www.axs.com/artists/1262/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-ticketsJune 2, 2023
Barcelona, Spain – PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Parc del Forum
https://www.primaverasound.com/June 5, 2023
Paris, France – Cabaret Sauvage
https://www.seetickets.com/fr/d/event/kyary-pamyu-pamyu/cabaret-sauvage/8769451June 7, 2023
London, England – London EartH Halll
https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/kyary-pamyu-pamyuJune 9, 2023
Madrid, Spain – PRIMAVERA SOUND 2023 Ciudad del Rock
https://www.primaverasound.com/More Details
https://wt2023.kyary.asobisystem.com/ -
London-based Japanese Artist Rina Sawayama Covers Hikaru Utada’s Legendary ‘First Love’ at Tokyo Concert
Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!
First Love - Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)
Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.
“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.
The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.
Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.
Information
Hold The Girl (2nd Album)
On Sale Now
Listen/Purchase: https://umj.lnk.to/RinaSawayama_HoldTheGirl
Purchase Bonus Details: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/rina-sawayama/news/2022-07-28/
Official Site: https://www.rina.online/