Starting February 1, 2023, visitors to Nagano will be able to experience an unforgettable winter experience at Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps. The Kamakura Footbath will invite guests to soak their feet in a warm bath as they sit in a traditional Japanese igloo while sipping local amazake and enjoying the snowy scenery. 

Soak your Feet Inside a Hot Footbath Inside a Kamakura

During February when snowfall is the heaviest, these kamakura, or igloos, can be spotted in the hotel’s courtyard. A private footbath is available inside each structure, which will keep guests from experiencing the cold wind. According to many, having a cool body and warm feet is the perfect recipe for a good night’s sleep and good health.

Taste Amazake from a Local Brewery

Kurazukuri Amazake is brewed at Hokuan Brewery in Omachi, Nagano. Made exclusively from home-grown, expertly polished sake rice, the sweet beverage has a delicate flavor similar to wagashi. Why not warm your body from the inside out with this traditional drink?

Enjoy the Winter Landscape Illuminated by Bamboo Lights

Around each kamakura are a sea of bamboo lanterns, popular in the area. Guests can gaze out at the cold winter landscape beneath the awesome peaks of the Japanese Alps while pondering what the spring will bring. 

The NFT platform ‘Adam by GMO’ will offer the creative company NAKED’s first piece of NFT art. Sakura Ousai has been featured in the hands-on art exhibition NAKED FLOWERS held in Nihonbashi, Nijo Castle, Hong Kong, and Korea. The NFT will be available in late March and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Ukraine.

Since its establishment in 1997, NAKED has constantly produced incredibly unique art installations to fit with the times. Starting with the projection mapping of Tokyo Station in 2012, the company has created unprecedented art and entertainment experiences by combining real space with virtual experiences. The current theme is ‘borderless creativity,’ and creating NFT art fits into this vision.

NAKED FLOWERS, one of NAKED’s signature events, has been held since the New Year 2016. The NAKED FLOWERS experience has now been converted into a piece of NFT art for the first time, and buyers can enjoy these cherry blossoms no matter their location!

McDonald’s Japan will start selling the new Sakura Mochi Pie starting March 23, 2022 for a limited time only.

The new pie is inspired by sakura mochi, a traditional wagashi sweet popular during spring. 

Sakura mochi is typically made from mochi rice cakes filled with a sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. The McDonald’s pie is filled with azuki red bean paste and a chewy, sakura-flavored mochi that features bits of pickled sakura leaves.

The packaging will also feature spring designs and each pie costs just ¥150. They will be available until mid-April. 

Flower Miffy, a flower shop inspired by the popular Dutch picture book Miffy, has begun selling a new series of cherry blossom-inspired items! A limited number of postcard sets are also being offered as purchase bonuses. 

Flower Miffy Glass – Sakura Gradient Pink / Pearl: ¥1,595 (Tax Included)

Flower Miffy Sakura Plate: ¥2,090 (Tax Included)

Flower Miffy Mini Towel – Sakura Pink / Ivory: ¥770 each (Tax Included)

The series features original artwork, and fans of Miffy can get their hands on unique glassware, cherry blossom plates, and mini-towels. 

Those spending ¥3,300 (including tax) or more will receive a set of two limited edition postcards. The offer will end as soon as they’re gone!

*Offer does not apply to flower arrangements.

Illustrations Dick Bruna Ⓒ copyright Mercis bv,1953-2022　www.miffy.com

To celebrate the arrival of spring, Q-pot Cafe is introducing a cherry blossom-themed menu for a limited time!

Cherry Blossom Romantic Dress Cake  Plate with Drink: ¥2,100 (Tax Included)

Enjoy this pink cherry blossom mousse and pure white whipped cream to celebrate the end of the gloomy winter season.

Rich pistachio mousse, strawberry pulp, fragrant almonds, and fluffy genoise come together in a scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth explosion of flavor.

Romantic Berry Blossom Tea: ¥850 (Tax Included) / Set Menu +¥200 (Tax Included)

A play on Q-pot Cafe’s popular Flower Garden tea, the Berry Blossom Tea has a rich cherry blossom aroma with raspberries and milk added. 

Romantic Berry Blossom Tea with Bottle: ¥1,296 (Tax Included)

Take-out drinks in patterned bottles are also available! By bringing the bottle with you, the Berry Blossom Tea will be discounted to ¥750 (tax included). 

A part of Hoshino Resorts, KAI Alps is an incredible hot spring inn located in Omachi, Nagano prefecture, at the foot of the Northern Japanese Alps. In February 2022, the hotel will allow guests to book the Shinshu Snow Hut Experience, where visitors can enjoy the winter in a traditional snow-packed hut surrounded by bamboo lights. This area is one of the snowiest places in the region, and the locals have plenty of knowledge when it comes to getting through the cold.

Nagano prefecture is often called the ‘Space prefecture’ for its beautiful starry skies. Inside the snow hut, guests will be surrounded by lights, and bamboo lanterns will light the way. These gentle lights are perfect for the white of winter, despite the cold. 

Exclusively for this package, a kotatsu (heated table) will be placed inside the huts, and guests can wear traditional local clothing perfect for the weather. Sweet sake made at the Hokuan Sake Distillery in Omachi City and local rice cakes with Nozawa pickled greens, a Shinshu specialty, will also be served up. 

How would you like to partake in this traditional experience?

Karuizawa Hoshino Area, a place known for bringing nature and culture lovers together, will be offering a new one-day hot spring spa plan from November 4, 2021, until March 19, 2022. This is the perfect way to unwind from the stresses of the past year while getting away from crowds and responsibilities. Because it’s only one day, it’s perfect for those who can’t take a long vacation, but who are still desperate for some relaxation! The package will include access to hot spring baths, body care, a choice of lunch and drinks, and plenty of skincare amenities.

Tonbo-no-Yu Hot Spring, open since the Taisho era, will serve as the main location for the getaway. The springs themselves are bicarbonate and chloride springs with soft and thick waters in which to achieve the perfect soak and detox. Getting out of the water will leave a veil of salt on your skin, moisturizing it and cleansing every inch of your body. The open-air bath is surrounded by trees, while the indoor baths offer excellent views through oversized windows. 

Five Luxuries to Enjoy on the One-Day Getaway

[Power Up] Proper Bathing Instructions for the Best Hot Springs Experience

For those looking to maximize their hot spring experience, a comprehensive bathing guide will be provided to all guests, including breathing exercises and techniques for a great facial massage. The plan includes rental towers, and guests can feel free to enter the springs as many times as they like. At the reception desk, guests will also be given a bottle of Apple Vinegar Water to help them stay properly hydrated while soaking. 

[New] Gentle Skin Care while Relaxing in the Spring

Those participating in the one-day plan will be given OSAJI amenities to use during their stay. The brand is made up of safe and organic products approved by dermatologists, to be applied before and after bathing. 

[Power Up] Improve Gut Health with Healthy Beverages

When guests get out of the bath, a warm brown rice amazake will be waiting, shown to improve the intestinal environment and boost natural immunity. By using brown rice, the drink contains larger amounts of Vitamin E and dietary fiber than traditional amazake. This tasty drink will be served at Cafe Hungry Spot, adjacent to the springs. 

Relieve Stiff Joints with Attentive Body Care

At Tokoyo, located within the Harunire Terrace in the Karuizawa Hoshino Area, guests will get a 30-minute body care treatment with their choice of foot massage or shoulder and neck massage. Unwind and let go of all of your stress. 

Choose From Six Different Restaurants for Lunch

For lunch, six restaurants in the Hoshino area are at your beck and call, from Japanese cuisine to Italian. There’s no need to make reservations in advance; choose what you’re craving the day of, and don’t stress! 

Japanese aromatic raw chocolate brand MAISON CACAO is launching a new Kamakura-based brand called Shiki to Maison (“Four Seasons & Maison”) which will feature chocolates that capture the events and culture found throughout the four seasons in Japan.

The first entries to the series are cherry blossom chocolates which are available from March 26 to April 4, as well as cherry blossom drink which can be enjoyed on March 27 and 28.

Aroma Raw Chocolate SAKURA ¥2,200 / Cacao Vinegar Soda SAKURA ¥550 (Before Tax)

Aroma Raw Chocolate SAKURA

Indulge in a box of these luxury cherry blossom chocolates which are made with 100% cacao powder which have a refreshing white chocolate aftertaste. The chocolates are made with cherry blossom as well as a fresh cream laced with salt-pickled cherry blossom. They also include a paste made from liquid drawn from cherry blossom petals. It’s a taste of Japanese spring with every bite.

Cacao Vinegar Soda SAKURA

This springtime beverage includes a cacao vinegar made from cacao pulp and is coupled with fragrant cherry blossom. This one is available at the Komachi and Cacao Hanare branches as well as at CHOCOLATE BANK.

Spring has arrived at TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park, a cafe run by NAKED that’s located in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo. On Monday, the cafe launched a seasonal menu which incorporates a variety of spring flowers like cherry blossoms, showy’s baby breath from Kumamoto, keiou-zakura from Yamagata, and more.

TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park first opened in July 2017. It’s an experience-based art restaurant where customers can enjoy Japan’s latest cutting edge technology and next-generation gastronomy. Its popularity has risen rapidly, earning itself a reputation for offering an experience that stimulates all five of the senses, as well as for its photogenic interior decor.

With the pandemic restricting travel in Japan, people are unable to visit places far away across the country, and so the cafe is bringing a little bit of different places around Japan, namely their flowers, in collaboration with JA Kumamoto Uki and JA Yamagata.

Kumamoto is the only place in Japan that grows show’s baby breath. They are raised with the prefecture’s rich water and soil to blossom beautiful white and pink. These flowers can not only be enjoyed at TREE by NAKED Yoyogi Park as decorations, but customers can actually buy a bouquet of them too. Thanks to the skills of producers, the flowers can be grown out of season over a long period running from December to April, allowing people to enjoy their gorgeous springtime hues even if it’s not spring.

Açaí Lemonade – Eat In ¥825 / Takeout ¥810

Cherry Blossom & Strawberry Nicecream – Eat In ¥770 / Takeout ¥756

“Power & Healthly” are the concepts for the lunch and cafe-time menu which includes both food and drink. The cafe’s popular homemade açaí lemonade has been turned into a springtime version with fresh cherry blossom petals. There’s also a vegan-friendly ice cream made with banana, avocado, soy milk, and a blend of strawberry and cherry blossom. It has a slight salt tang to it.

Vegan Cherry Blossom Latte – Eat In ¥770 / Takeout ¥756

Vegan Avocado & Sprout Sandwich – Eat In ¥1,100 / Takeout ¥1,080

The cafe’s popular cherry blossom latte from last year returns with a soy milk base. There’s also sandwiches, including a vegan one fried in coconut oil.

Strawberry Mille-Feuille – Eat In ¥1,650

The cafe’s strawberry mille-feuille is so popular that they have to make a limited batch each day. It’s even been featured on Instagram. With the strawberry season here, customers can enjoy fresh whole strawberries topping their dessert.

The cafe will also be running an evening cafe and bar experience with a range of desserts, food, and alcohol.

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro is now serving up two new cherry blossom beverages for the spring season: the Sakura Lemonade and Sakura Charred Marshmallow Latte, both of which are now available to order until April 11.

Sakura Charred Marshmallow Latte ¥700 (Before Tax) / Sakura Lemonade ¥650 (Before Tax)

PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro serves limited-time drinks every cherry blossom season in Japan, and this year is no different. Both beverages capture the cute pink tones of the country’s national flower which invite feelings of springtime walks and Hanami flower viewing.

(C) 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

The Kirby Café branches in Tokyo and Hakata rolled out their Spring 2021 menu on Friday which is set to run until June 6. Themed on a springtime picnic, the line-up includes three items: six siz different temari-zushi servings, cherry blossom mochi, and a cherry blossom latte, all inspired by the Kirby video game series.

The Menu

Cherry Blossom Temari-zushi: Eat In ¥2,178 / Takeout ¥2,138

A serving of six sushi rolls perfect for a spring picnic. Each roll features designs that will be instantly-recognisable to Kirby fans.

Souvenir – Lunchbox (4 Designs)

Kirby’s Spring Search | ¥1,078 (Tax Included)

Kirby is playing hide and seek under the cherry blossom tree in this cute dish which is adorned with shiny coloured candy.

Cherry Blossom Latte | ¥968 (Tax Included)

A light pink-coloured cherry blossom latte with a touch of salt. Mix everything together for a tasty sipping experience.

Japanese luxury loungewear brand gelato pique is readying itself for spring with its new pink cherry blossom-inspired ‘SAKURA COLLECTION,’ set to release at gelato pique stores and its online store on March 19.

The Line-Up

‘Smoothie Light’ Scallop Cardigan ¥6,820 (Tax Included) / ‘Smoothie Light’ Scallop Long Cardigan ¥7,480 (Tax Included)’

The ‘Smoothie’ cardigans are made of light material that’s smooth to the touch and come in cute designs.

Petal Motif Satin Shirt ¥6,820 (Tax Included) / Petal Motif Satin Short Pants ¥4,620 (Tax Included)

Pink satin loungewear adorned with gorgeous petals.

Tiered Dress ¥8,140 (Tax Included)

An airy cotton dress with a beautiful feminine silhouette.

Organdy Eco Bag ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mask Pouch ¥2,420 (Tax Included) / Mesh Mini Pouch ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mesh Pouch ¥2,640 (Tax Included) / Mesh Vanity Pouch ¥3,520 (Tax Included)

Sort your cosmetics and bits ‘n’ bobs with this heart-filled collection of pouches, and store your face mask away safely with the mask pouch.

Hair Mist ¥1,870 (Tax Included) / Hand Soap ¥1,034 (Tax Included)

gelato pique’s popular hair mist and hand soap arrive in spring season limited-edition packaging.