Play and Learn Science Lab 2026 SUMMER at Tokyo University of Science

An Experiential Event to Support Summer Vacation Independent Research

For families navigating the annual challenge of summer vacation independent research projects, the “Play and Learn Science Lab” offers a practical solution that transforms obligation into genuine discovery. Hosted collaboratively by the Asahi Elementary School Newspaper, AERA with Kids, and Kids Net, this single-day event at the Tokyo University of Science Katsushika Campus provides elementary school students and their guardians with direct access to hands-on scientific experiences, expert guidance, and the specific “seeds of research” necessary to create compelling independent study projects.

Unlike standard science fairs that prioritize exhibition over education, this event focuses specifically on the research process itself—providing children with experiential learning opportunities that generate authentic questions and hypotheses. Through interactive booths, structured workshops, and stage presentations, participants encounter scientific concepts not as abstract theories but as tangible problems requiring investigation.

What Distinguishes This Year’s Program

The 2026 summer iteration distinguishes itself through the sheer breadth of industry involvement and the integration of financial literacy with traditional scientific inquiry. Fifteen diverse companies and organizations—including Ezaki Glico, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Seiko Group, Seven Bank, The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Expanded Polystyrene Association, and Morinaga & Co.—have developed proprietary workshops that connect commercial industries to academic research methods.

This cross-sector approach allows children to investigate questions ranging from the physics of timekeeping to the microbiology of digestive health, while simultaneously exploring how scientific principles operate within economic systems. For instance, participants can construct original desk clocks while learning about horological history, or operate simulated hamburger shops while studying accounting systems and monetary flow—a combination rarely found in conventional children’s science events.

Workshop Programming

The event organizes approximately thirty distinct workshops across two registration categories, ensuring accessibility for both planners and spontaneous attendees. Each workshop operates with specific capacity limitations, necessitating early arrival or advance registration for popular sessions.

Advance Registration Workshops

The following workshops require prior web reservation through the official application portal:

• Unravel the mystery of “myopia”! Light and Color Science Lab (Provided by: CooperVision Japan)
• Let’s fight infectious diseases together! Vaccine Quiz Quest (Provided by: Meiji Seika Pharma)
• Toki-iku® Seiko Exciting Clock Classroom (Provided by: Seiko Group)
• Learn with Glico: Save your stomach with Tansan® fatty acids! (Provided by: Ezaki Glico “BifiX Yogurt α”)
• Gather, future scientists! Let’s make a “magic bullet” and save the world! (Provided by: Meiji Seika Pharma)
• Paracord Bear Bell Workshop (Provided by: Nature-Inspiring Resort Kyukamura)
• Let’s unravel the secrets of expanded polystyrene! (Provided by: Expanded Polystyrene Association)
• Become faster! Running Method Classroom (Provided by: biima sports × Gakken)
• Explore the secrets of the eyes! 5-yen coin lens and color-changing science experiments (Provided by: Optex Co., Ltd.)
• Try the “Power of Money -VALUE-” card game! (Provided by: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group)
• You are the store manager! Create a popular hamburger shop with the power of “accounting” (Provided by: The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
• Discover the secrets of money! ~Exciting Future Allowance Experience!~ (Provided by: Seven Bank, Ltd.)
• Learn about the wonders of hair and razors ~Razor case decoration experience also available~ (Provided by: Kai Corporation)
• “#Eraser-dust.” Let’s make coloring balloons with Marin-san (Provided by: Asahi Elementary School Newspaper)
• Creatures’ Earth 10th Anniversary Event (Provided by: Asahi Elementary School Newspaper)
• Challenge yourself to make an original game with Springin! (Provided by: Asahi Gakken Shinquest)
• Enjoy “Animal Shogi” with your parents and children♪ (Provided by: AERA with Kids/Asahi Shimbun Publications)
• Crystal making and bonsai making (Provided by: Gakken Science and Learning)
• The original motor!? 200-year-old “Faraday Motor” experiment! (Provided by: Kids Net)
• Let’s make a mysterious 3D craft “Tensegrity” (Provided by: Kids Net)

Same-Day Registration Workshops

These sessions accept participants on a first-come, first-served basis during the event:

• Body Hair Bodyguard Investigation Team ~The secrets of the hair that protects you~ (Provided by: Kai Corporation)
• Challenge! Cacao Quest ~Collect the pieces of chocolate~ (Provided by: Morinaga & Co., Ltd.)
• Deer Antler Keychain Workshop (Provided by: Nature-Inspiring Resort Kyukamura)
• Just choose and fit the dots! Let’s make your first dot art! (Provided by: Yanoman Co., Ltd.)
• Eat whale to grow big and healthy! ~Know, learn, and taste the secrets of whales~ (Provided by: Japan Whaling Association)
• Turn play into learning! Let’s play with puzzles♪ (Provided by: AERA with Kids/Asahi Shimbun Publications)
• Physical fitness test measurement experience (Provided by: Asahi Gakken Shinquest)
• Early experience session for a full-scale card game where various professions are active! (Provided by: Asahi Gakken Shinquest)
• Battle Ringin: Game creation battle live show with an app (Provided by: Asahi Gakken Shinquest)
• News Dojo & Junior High School Entrance Exam Dojo open simultaneously! Challengers wanted☆ (Provided by: Asasho Plus/Asahi Mitsukaru Navi)
• Asasho Room (Provided by: Asahi Elementary School Newspaper Editorial Department)
• Find your destinado company! Job Diagnosis (Provided by: Job Museum)

Stage Programs and Symposiums

The main hall features appearances by prominent science communicators. Yoshiio Kojima, who has serialized columns in both the Asahi Elementary School Newspaper and AERA with Kids+, will host his “Live! Trouble Counseling Room,” offering direct guidance on research-related dilemmas. Additionally, Sakana-kun—celebrating his 25th year of serialization in Asasho—will present “Gyogyo! Tell me, Sakana-kun 2026,” providing marine biological insights applicable to ecological research projects.

Concurrently, the Tokyo Institute of Science and Tokyo University of Science will host a joint symposium titled “Real Academic Ability in the AI Era ~Qualities Required for Next-Generation Leaders~,” addressing the evolving nature of scientific literacy in an increasingly automated world.

Additional Event Features

Beyond the structured workshops and stage presentations, the event incorporates supplementary programming designed to sustain full-day participation. Stamp rallies encourage comprehensive exploration of the venue, while book sales corners provide reference materials for ongoing research. The university cafeteria will offer special menus, and food trucks will provide additional dining options—allowing families to maintain energy throughout the seven-hour program without leaving the campus.

Practical Information

Venue / Access
Tokyo University of Science Katsushika Campus
Nearest Stations: Kanamachi Station / Keisei-Kanamachi Station

Address
〒125-8585
6-3-1 Shinjuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
MAP

Date and Time
2026/07/19 (Sunday)
10:00 – 17:00

Target Audience
Elementary school students and their guardians
Note: Each workshop maintains individual capacity limits.

Admission
Free

Registration
Some workshops require advance web reservation.
Click here for advance application

The listed content may be subject to change. Please check the official website of the venue or organizers for the latest information.

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What is the Tokyo University of Science?

The Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a private institution dedicated exclusively to science and technology. Founded in 1881 as the Tokyo Physics School by 21 graduates of the Imperial College of Engineering, it began with evening lectures in physics and mathematics for working students who could not attend day classes. Today, TUS operates three campuses—in Kagurazaka, Katsushika, and Noda—enrolling over 9,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. What began as a small technical school has grown into a university with seven undergraduate faculties, yet it maintains its original specificity: every program concentrates on scientific and technical disciplines.

Unlike Japan’s national universities, which combine science faculties with extensive liberal arts programs, TUS commits its resources entirely to technical and scientific education. This concentration shapes both the curriculum and the research environment. The university maintains over 70 specialized laboratories across fields including materials science, pharmaceutical chemistry, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence. These facilities serve dual purposes: they support graduate research and provide undergraduate students with early exposure to laboratory work. The university’s connections with Japanese manufacturing and technology firms date back to its early decades, creating direct links between academic research and industrial application.

The emphasis on laboratory work defines TUS’s approach at every level. The curriculum minimizes passive lecture time in favor of experimental work, beginning in the first year of undergraduate study. This philosophy extends beyond the university’s enrolled students. Faculty members regularly organize outreach programs that give primary and secondary school students access to working laboratories. The premise is straightforward: understanding scientific method requires handling instruments, making observations, and accounting for experimental error—not just reading about results.

The “Play and Learn Science Lab 2026” applies this approach to science education for children. Faculty from seven undergraduate faculties—Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and others—work with undergraduate students to develop experiments that suit younger age groups while using proper research protocols. Children work in active university laboratories, handling the same microscopes, spectroscopy equipment, and data sensors that TUS researchers use daily. The experiments require participants to collect data, note sources of error, and understand why controls matter. By giving young learners access to working laboratory equipment and standard research practices, the program treats scientific methodology as a specific set of skills rather than abstract knowledge.

The Lobby Cafe “Peach Afternoon Tea ~Peach-Colored Happiness~” [Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba]

A summer reward time enveloped in pale pink. Savor the rich fragrance of seasonal peaches.

For those seeking a refined escape from the summer heat, The Lobby Cafe presents an afternoon tea experience centered on the delicate sweetness and aromatic profile of seasonal peaches. Throughout July and August 2026, guests can enjoy a curated selection of sweets and savories designed to celebrate the peak of peach season.

What distinguishes this offering is the commitment to quality over origin; rather than sourcing from a single region, the hotel carefully selects the most delicious domestic peaches available during the season to ensure optimal ripeness and flavor. This approach allows the menu to showcase the fruit in various forms, ranging from juicy, fruit-forward desserts to sophisticated savories where the peach’s natural sugar is balanced by the saltiness of prosciutto, smoked salmon, and fresh herbs.

The Menu Composition

The afternoon tea is presented in a three-tiered arrangement, offering a progression of flavors and textures.

Top Tier: Elegant Patisserie
The top tier focuses on lightness and floral notes, featuring:

• Lychee Panna Cotta with Peach Compote: A glass dessert that pairs the gorgeous fragrance of lychee with the concentrated sweetness of peach compote.
• Mousse Peche: A meltingly smooth mousse that highlights the fruit’s creamy side.
• Gateau Peche: A cake finished with an elegant, refined taste.

Middle Tier: Texture and Variety
The middle tier explores diverse confectionery styles to provide a comprehensive taste of the season:

• Peach Cream Puff: Filled with a rich, peach-infused cream.
• Peach Macaron: An offering where elegant sweetness spreads across the palate.
• Peach Tart: A combination of juicy fresh fruit and a fragrant, crisp tart crust.
• Peach Fromage: A dessert where a slight acidity harmonizes with the fruit’s sweetness.
• Peach Bavarois: A smooth, melt-in-the-mouth classic.

Bottom Tier: Sophisticated Savories
To balance the sugar of the desserts, the bottom tier introduces a variety of savory items that emphasize freshness:

• Peach, Prosciutto, and Burrata Caprese: A trio that uses the richness of the cheese and cured meat to enhance the fruit’s juiciness.
• Peach and Yogurt Cold Soup: Infused with mint and cardamom, this dish serves as a cooling palate cleanser.
• Hokkaido Scallop Flakes with Mint and Cardamom Scent: A refined seafood addition.
• Peach Focaccia and Smoked Salmon Tartare with Avocado Dip: A complex combination of savory textures.
• Peach and Earl Grey Scones: Served with clotted cream and white peach jam.

Beverage Selection

To accompany the meal, guests may enjoy a free-flow selection of ten different beverages, including premium Ronnefeldt teas served in pots.

• Seasonal Recommended Flavor Tea: “White Peach”—a limited-edition fruit tea that blends the sweet scent of white peach with the delicate acidity and refreshing aroma of lemon myrtle.
• Herb Teas: Chamomile, Refresh Mint, Sweet Berries, and Jasmine.
• Black Teas: Earl Grey, Assam, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast.
• Coffee: Available both iced and hot.

*Please check the official website for details on the contents.

Basic Information

• Location / Nearest Station
  Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
  Daiba Station
• Address
  〒135-8701
  2-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
  MAP
• Venue
  Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba 2nd Floor “The Lobby Cafe”
• Period
  2026/07/01 (Wed) ～ 2026/08/31 (Mon)
• Time
  Start 13:00 / End 17:00 (Last Order 16:30)
• Price/Cost
  \7,000 (including consumption tax and service charge)
• Inquiry
  Restaurant General Information
  03-5500-4550
  Remarks: 10:00–18:00
• Official Website
  https://www.tokyo.grandnikko.com/events/2658/

*The posted content may be subject to change. Please check the official website of the venue/organizer for the latest information.
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Daiba—formally Odaiba—is a chain of artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, connected to the city center by the Rainbow Bridge. Built in the 1850s as coastal fortifications during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate, the islands served a military purpose for less than two decades before falling into disuse. They remained largely vacant until the 1980s, when redevelopment transformed the area into a commercial district characterized by horizontal space rather than vertical compression. Unlike the dense wards of central Tokyo, Daiba operates at a different scale: wide arterial roads, surface parking, and low-rise complexes that spread across reclaimed land.

This spatial arrangement creates a specific relationship with the bay. The water defines the district’s perimeter, and the buildings—mostly 1990s-era hotels and retail centers—sit directly against pedestrian promenades that follow the coastline. The absence of high-density residential blocks means the area empties significantly after business hours, and the wind patterns differ markedly from the inland city. Without the heat island effect of dense asphalt and with unobstructed exposure to the water, temperatures drop faster after sunset, and the air carries consistent movement from the bay.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba occupies a waterfront position within this topography. The hotel’s architecture reflects the district’s horizontal emphasis—a sprawling structure that maximizes room views across the water rather than competing for height with nearby landmarks. Practically, this means guests have immediate pedestrian access to the bay’s edge, and the hotel’s public spaces operate within the islands’ specific microclimate.

During summer, this physical setting alters the standard Tokyo hotel experience. The afternoon tea service functions as an occupation of the site’s actual conditions rather than a themed escape. The terraces remain usable through hot afternoons because of the ventilation from the water, and the view across the bay maintains a literal, measurable distance from the urban density of the mainland. You remain within metropolitan Tokyo while occupying a physical environment—temperature, airflow, horizon line—that follows different patterns than the city center twenty minutes away.

Elegance Blue 2026 [LOUANGE TOKYO Le Musée]

Enjoy a refreshing blue tea time in Ginza. A Summer Afternoon Tea to color your summer has arrived.

For those seeking a sophisticated escape from the summer heat, LOUANGE TOKYO Le Musée in Ginza presents a seasonal experience designed to evoke transparency and serenity. As part of a popular annual color-themed series, the “Blue” afternoon tea returns for 2026, iterating on its previous success by introducing a summer-specific world-view that balances whimsical cuteness with a refined, adult atmosphere.

This event offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a fantastical blue environment, utilizing a curated lineup of seasonal fruits and light, refreshing ingredients. Alongside the signature afternoon tea, the venue is debuting a standalone assiette dessert, “Elegance Peche Blue,” which serves as a focused study in summer flavors—specifically peach, lychee, and rose.

Afternoon Tea “Elegance Blue 2026”

The center-piece of this experience is the “Elegance Blue 2026” afternoon tea, which features “Noomy”—a pure white teddy bear lounging on a swim ring—to lend a playful summer aesthetic to the presentation. The experience begins with a non-alcoholic pineapple soda, chosen specifically for its ability to provide an immediate sense of summer exhilaration.

The sweets are distributed across two tiers, prioritizing freshness and light textures. The top tier features rice flour donuts designed to resemble swim rings, macarons with a bleu orange profile, bleu citrus pâte de fruit, and heart-shaped yogurt mousse paired with a honey lemon sauce. The middle tier expands the flavor palette with an Earl Grey scented Saint Honoré, a white peach panna cotta with jasmine sauce, and jelly crafted from fresh melon sourced from Shizuoka Prefecture. Additionally, a chocolate gift box containing petit sablés and boules de neige adds a touch of traditional confectionery.

To balance the sweetness, the bottom tier is dedicated to high-end savories that emphasize both flavor and visual contrast. Highlights include homemade roast beef crafted from A5 Japanese Black beef and topped with caviar, mini burgers featuring shrimp and scallop cutlets with homemade tartar sauce, and a mille-feuille arrangement of salmon tartare and avocado. The savory selection is rounded out with a summer chopped salad, a mint-scented celery root mousse quiche tart, and a stew-style vichyssoise.

Optional Enhancement:
Guests may opt for the “Add 2 teddy bears” plan for an additional ¥2,200 (tax and service charge separate).

Elegance Peche Blue

For those preferring a plated dessert over a full tea service, the “Elegance Peche Blue” assiette is available. This sophisticated dish is built upon a base of peach and lychee mousse, masking a hidden core of raspberry and rose-scented jelly. The composition is accented by jasmine-flavored crumble for textural variety and is served with a refreshing lemon yogurt sorbet to maintain a light, summer-appropriate profile. The presentation is completed with rose motifs and a miniature chocolate gift box, reflecting the venue’s commitment to elegance.

Price: ¥4,600 (Tax and service charge separate)
*Available exclusively at the Ginza store from 2026/6/18 to 2026/9/23.

Basic Information

• Location / Nearest Station
  LOUANGE TOKYO Le Musee
  Ginza-itchome Station
• Address
  〒104-0061
  1F 1-9-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
  MAP
• Event Period
  Thursday, 2026/06/18 ～ Tuesday (Holiday), 2026/09/22
• Time
  Start 11:00 / End 21:00 (Last Order 20:00)
• Price/Fee
  Weekdays: ¥9,800 (Tax and service charge separate)
  Weekends and Holidays: ¥10,500 (Tax and service charge separate)
• Official Website
  https://x.gd/OWdye

*Please note that posted content may be subject to change; guests are encouraged to check the official website of the venue for the latest information.

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LOUANGE TOKYO Le Musée is a pastry shop and afternoon tea salon in Tokyo’s Ginza district that treats dessert as displayed object. Rather than plating sweets for immediate consumption, the kitchen constructs vertical compositions—layered ice creams, confitures, and génoise built in tall glasses—that hold their structure long enough to be examined before they are eaten. The space borrows from museum context: neutral walls, precise lighting angles, and table settings that frame each course as an isolated piece.

The signature Parfait Glace series demonstrates this approach most clearly. Unlike conventional parfaits designed for spoons to mix textures immediately, these are architecturally stable arrangements where components remain distinct. The desserts arrive as temporary constructions that persist only until the first bite breaks the structure.

Afternoon tea service changes seasonally, offering savory canapés paired with dessert collections that rotate based on ingredient availability. The dining room maintains the quiet and spatial order of a small private gallery—minimal clutter, controlled sightlines, distance between tables—directing attention toward the food rather than the interior design.

In Tokyo’s crowded café market, where themes often overshadow execution, LOUANGE TOKYO occupies a specific niche. It assumes that patrons will value technical precision in pastry work and the patience required to present it properly. The result is not a revolutionary reimagining of dessert but a rigorous application of gallery standards to edible craft.

Fullmetal Alchemist × Yomi no Tsugai Exhibition: A Dual Anniversary Celebration in Ginza

Marking a quarter-century since the debut of Fullmetal Alchemist and half a decade of Yomi no Tsugai, manga artist Hiromu Arakawa’s dual anniversary exhibition arrives at Matsuya Ginza this August. The show—officially titled “Fullmetal Alchemist x Yomi no Tsugai Exhibition”—offers a rare convergence of Arakawa’s most celebrated completed series alongside her current ongoing work, presenting an opportunity to examine the visual and narrative evolution of one of Japan’s most distinctive creative voices. Square Enix, publisher of both properties, has organized the event to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the distinct yet thematically linked worlds of militaristic alchemy and supernatural rural folklore.

While specific display contents will be revealed progressively through the official website and X account, the exhibition promises original artwork, production materials, and thematic installations spanning both series. The pairing underscores Arakawa’s range—the steampunk-infused European aesthetic of Fullmetal Alchemist contrasting with the contemporary Japanese mountain village setting of Yomi no Tsugai—while highlighting the consistent thematic concerns that have defined her career, including等价交换, familial bonds, and the relationship between humanity and natural (or supernatural) forces.

Practical Information

The exhibition occupies the Matsuya Ginza 8th Floor Event Square from Thursday, August 13 through Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Operating hours run from 11:00 to 20:00, though visitors should note several exceptions: the venue closes at 19:30 on August 16th, 23rd, and 30th (all Sundays), and concludes at 17:00 on the final day, September 2nd. Entry is permitted until thirty minutes prior to closing, though operational hours remain subject to potential alteration.

Ticketing Structure

Admission operates on a date-and-time-specified basis for all ticket categories during the entire run.

Advance sales offer the most economical access:

• General admission: ¥1,800
• High school students: ¥1,000
• Elementary and junior high school students: ¥600

Premium bundled options include:

• Ticket with goods and pamphlet: ¥5,450
• Ticket with goods only: ¥3,450
• Ticket with pamphlet only: ¥3,800

Same-day purchases (subject to availability) cost slightly more:

• General: ¥2,000
• High school students: ¥1,200
• Elementary and junior high school students: ¥800

Several demographics enter without charge: preschool-aged children, holders of disability certificates (plus one accompanying assistant), and various Matsuya cardholders (excluding point cards). Note that elementary school-aged visitors and younger must be accompanied by a ticket-holding guardian aged eighteen or older. The goods corner requires exhibition admission for entry; browsing merchandise without a valid ticket is not permitted.

Access and Location

Matsuya Ginza sits at 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (〒104-8130), with the exhibition occupying the 8th Floor Event Square. Multiple transit options provide convenient access: Ginza Station (one-minute walk), Ginza-itchome Station (three-minute walk), Higashi-ginza Station (three-minute walk), and Yurakucho Station (eight-minute walk). A MAP is available for precise navigation.

Tickets may be purchased in advance through Purchase tickets here. Details of the event are scheduled to be updated from time to time on the official website and official X account.

The posted content may have changed. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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Yomi no Tsugai (黄泉のツガイ) began serialization in Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021, marking Hiromu Arakawa’s first major project since completing Silver Spoon (Gin no Saji) in 2019. The series represents her return to action-oriented fantasy after years of agricultural slice-of-life storytelling.

The narrative operates within a martial arts framework drawn from East Asian folklore. Yuru grows up in the hidden village of Kagemori, trained in combat techniques designed to control spiritual energy. His twin sister Asa, separated from him as an infant and raised by the Momo no Sei (Peach Sprites), works as an assassin. Their reunion occurs through violence: when outsiders attack Kagemori, Yuru learns he is one half of a “Tsugai”—a bonded pair whose combined abilities allow them to traverse the threshold between the living world and Yomi, the realm of the dead.

Arakawa approaches the material with the same technical precision visible in her earlier work. Fight scenes prioritize clarity of movement over spectacle, with the mechanical logic of the combat system—how spiritual energy manifests, the specific limitations of paired fighters—established through demonstration rather than exposition. Character motivations remain grounded even as the supernatural elements escalate; Yuru and Asa’s negotiations of their estranged relationship carry equal weight to the mythology concerning the boundary between life and death.

The comparison with Fullmetal Alchemist proves instructive given Arakawa’s continued interest in sibling dynamics and institutional corruption. Where the earlier work examined brotherhood through shared trauma and mutual protection, Yomi no Tsugai considers the stranger dynamic of twins separated at birth, asking what obligation exists between people linked by biology but not history. For an exhibition pairing these two works, the manga offers a clear view of how Arakawa’s concerns have shifted in the decade between projects—from the industrial revolution and bodily integrity to questions of inheritance and whether predetermined roles can be refused.

KIHACHI Afternoon Tea: Ibara King Melon Special

Experience a refined taste of early summer at the Kihachi Aoyama Main Store, where the seasonal “Ibara King Melon Special” afternoon tea is available for a limited time. This curated experience centers on the Ibara King melon—a variety specifically prized for its elegant aroma, high sugar content, and exceptionally juicy flesh—offering guests a sophisticated way to celebrate the peak of the melon season.

The menu is designed to evoke a refreshing early summer atmosphere, blending the primary sweetness of the melon with complementary fruit accents. To provide a balanced palate, the chefs have integrated notes of mango, pineapple, and blueberries into the selection. The experience begins with a dedicated welcome drink—available as either a melon-flavored sparkling wine or a non-alcoholic mocktail—before proceeding to a comprehensive array of sweets and savories.

Among the highlights are the “Melon and Coconut Blancmange,” designed for a cooling visual and taste effect, and the “Melon and Pineapple Macédoine.” The transition from sweet to savory is bridged by items such as “Prosciutto and Melon,” combining the fruit’s sweetness with a salty cure.

Menu Selection

Welcome Drink

• Melon-flavored sparkling wine or mocktail

Sweets & Savories

• Melon and coconut blancmange
• Melon shortcake
• Melon and mango tart
• Melon pudding à la mode
• Cheesecake topped with melon
• Cannelé
• Melon and pineapple macédoine
• Melon crepe
• Melon crumble pie
• Mango sorbet
• Prosciutto and melon
• Smoked Date-dori chicken and avocado sandwich
• French fries with Parmigiano

Free-Flow Drinks (90-minute limit)
Guests may select from the following beverages to accompany their meal:

• Red wine
• White wine
• Coffee
• Tea
• Herb tea

Essential Information

Venue and Access
The event takes place at the Kihachi Aoyama Main Store located on the 1F Cafe & Food Hall. The venue is conveniently accessible via Gaienmae Station or Aoyama-itchome Station.

• Address: 〒107-0061 2-1-19 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo MAP

Schedule and Pricing

• Period: Thursday, June 18, 2026 – Wednesday, July 22, 2026
• Time Slots: Four sessions are available daily:
  1. 11:30~
  2. 14:00~
  3. 14:30~
  4. 15:00~
     Each session lasts 2 hours, with the last order for free-flow drinks taken 30 minutes before the session ends.
• Price: 7,700 yen (tax included), which covers the welcome drink and the 90-minute free drink service.

Additional Details

• All fresh melons utilized in the menu are of the “Ibara King” variety.
• Reservations are available for parties of one or more guests.
• Please be aware that ingredients, menu items, and implementation periods are subject to change based on procurement conditions and weather.
• For the most current business hours and closing days, please visit the Official Website.

The posted content may have changed. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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What is Ibara King Melon?

The Ibara King Melon is a premium muskmelon variety developed in Ibaraki Prefecture, where flat, well-draining soil and significant temperature variation between day and night create favorable conditions for sugar accumulation. The fruit typically weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms, with a spherical shape and a distinctive netted rind. The raised cracking of the netting forms patterns of pale cream against emerald green skin—features that develop under the controlled temperature and humidity of greenhouse cultivation, where farmers regulate conditions to within narrow parameters throughout the 100-day growing cycle.

Commercial production focuses on measurable sugar content and texture. Ibara King melons regularly test at 16 to 18 degrees Brix, higher than typical consumer melons that range between 10 and 12 Brix. The flesh is pale orange, softer in hue than the vivid green of standard cantaloupes, with a dense, smooth consistency. Achieving these characteristics requires specific interventions: farmers hand-pollinate flowers to control genetics, remove all but one fruit from each vine to direct the plant’s full nutrient capacity to a single melon, and massage the developing fruit daily to stimulate even ethylene production and prevent irregular netting. As the melon matures, workers suspend it in a sling to support its weight without stressing the stem, adjusting greenhouse shading to limit direct sun exposure and preserve the delicate flesh color.

Within Japanese food culture, high-grade melons serve as formal gifts, and the Ibara King occupies a recognized position in this category. Prime specimens sell at auction for prices that reflect the labor intensity of their production rather than scarcity alone. The harvest peaks in early summer, with controlled autumn cultivation extending availability; this schedule influences purchasing patterns at luxury hotels and patisseries, which acquire specific allocations for seasonal menus. In culinary applications, the melon’s dense flesh maintains structural stability when cut, making it suitable for tarts and molded desserts, while the high sugar content allows it to pair with dairy without additional sweetening. The flavor carries vanilla and honey notes that distinguish it from muskmelons grown in other regions, though these characteristics emerge primarily from the intensive cultivation methods rather than intrinsic varietal differences.