Limited-Time Pop-Up Shop ~Like Skincare, Love Choco Mint~

Kyoto-based lifestyle brand Yojiya returns to Tokyo this spring with an expanded iteration of its sensory-focused dessert concept, inviting visitors to calibrate their own experience along a spectrum of mint intensity. Following last year’s successful debut at Yurakucho Marui—which generated consistent daily queues—the “Su-Su! Choco-Mint” Tokyo Tour adds Shibuya MODI as a second location while introducing a reservation-based system designed to eliminate wait times. The pop-up shop, operating under the theme “Like Skincare, Love Choco Mint,” runs simultaneously at both venues with slightly staggered schedules, offering a structured tasting experience that ranges from zero tingling sensation to approximately eighty times the standard peppermint oil concentration.

A Scalable Approach to the Choco-Mint Experience

Where last year’s event established the baseline with the standard Su-Su Parfait and the intense 50x variant, the 2026 tour introduces a modular customization system through the debut of Extra Mint Sauce. This aggressive formulation combines two types of mint syrup with concentrated peppermint oil, allowing patrons to incrementally adjust their parfait’s intensity or immediately escalate the 50x Su-Su Parfait to the maximum 80x level. The sauce can be added gradually for subtle flavor modification or poured entirely for those seeking the full physiological response—what the brand terms the “happy scream” threshold.

The menu maintains its three-tiered architecture to accommodate varying tolerance levels. The Su-Su Parfait (Tokyo ver.) (¥1,750, tax included, with drink) targets newcomers with a balanced ratio of chocolate to mint, featuring mild mint jelly, choco-mint ice cream, chocolate crunch, and raw chocolate. For experienced participants, the 50x Su-Su Parfait (Tokyo ver.) (¥1,850, tax included, with drink) incorporates roughly fifty times the peppermint oil concentration of the standard version, distinguished visually by the tinted green whipped cream. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with underlying health conditions are advised to avoid this selection. The All-Chocolate Parfait (¥1,750, tax included, with drink)—an event exclusive—removes mint entirely, layering bitter chocolate ice cream, raw chocolate, chocolate chips, and crunch for those preferring zero tingling sensation.

Two Tasting Comparison Sets allow individuals to experience the range in a single seating. Option A pairs both the standard and 50x parfaits with Extra Mint Sauce, while Option B contrasts the All-Chocolate Parfait against the 50x version with sauce—effectively spanning the full zero-to-80x spectrum. Priced equivalently to individual parfait sets with one included drink (coffee or tea, hot or iced), these sets enforce a strict one-order-per-person policy with no sharing permitted except for children under six. Participants ordering either tasting set gain entry into a daily lottery awarding limited-edition assembly-style cutlery featuring original “Su-Su! Choco-Mint” artwork and storage cases to twenty winners per day; this offer concludes once daily supplies deplete.

Note: Cafe service operates by advance reservation only, releasing same-day seats as vacancies allow. All parfaits require dine-in consumption; takeout is unavailable. The initial order must constitute one parfait-and-drink set per person (excluding children under six).

Expansion into Skincare and Retail

Beyond the culinary offerings, this year’s installation marks the launch of Yojiya’s “Su-Su! Choco-Mint” skincare line, translating the dessert’s sensory profile into cosmetic form. The collection includes water-based hand cream and lip plumpers infused with mint and chocolate aromatics alongside a topical cooling sensation. The retail section also stocks the brand’s standard oil-blotting papers, hand creams, and “Yojiko” character merchandise.

Campaign Details

During the event period, all purchasers at either the shop or cafe receive one limited-design sticker per transaction (designs differ between locations and remain unrevealed until distribution). Separately, customers spending ¥3,000 or more (tax included) at the retail shop—excluding cafe purchases—receive a reusable towel coaster featuring Yojiko; receipts cannot be combined across multiple shoppers. Both giveaways operate while supplies last without guarantee of availability.

Venue and Reservation Information

Yurakucho Marui

• Location: 1F Calendarium F01/F02, directly accessible from Yurakucho Station
• Dates: Friday, May 22 – Sunday, June 21, 2026
• Shop Hours: 11:00–20:00 (closes 19:00 on June 21)
• Cafe Hours: 11:20–19:00 (closes 16:20 on June 21)
• Reservations: Details release via official SNS and website on Friday, May 15; booking opens Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 via dedicated reservation site

Shibuya MODI

• Location: 1F Calendarium D08, two-minute walk from Shibuya Station
• Dates: Tuesday, June 2 – Sunday, June 21, 2026
• Shop Hours: 11:00–20:00 (closes 19:00 on June 21)
• Cafe Hours: 11:20–19:00 (closes 16:20 on June 21)
• Reservations: Details to be announced at a later date via official channels

For complete operational updates and reservation links, consult the official Yojiya website. Event specifications are subject to change; verify current conditions with venue management prior to visiting.

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What is Yojiya?

Yojiya (よーじや) began in 1904 as a manufacturer of aburatorigami—oil-blotting papers made from washi processed with gold leaf powder. Geisha and kabuki actors, who needed to maintain thick, wax-based makeup through hours of performance heat, used these sheets to absorb excess oil without disturbing their cosmetic base. The paper’s texture allows it to lift sebum without leaving fibers or residue, a function that remains central to the company’s production today.

The name references the facial expression formed when pressing paper to the nose—pursed lips and concentrated effort—captured in the brand’s logo depicting a pouting face. For decades the company operated a single shop in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district near Kiyomizu-dera, serving primarily theater professionals and local residents. As demand grew beyond the performing arts community, the company expanded into skincare and body care, applying its material expertise to cleansers and masks that minimize skin friction.

The business now includes café operations in Tokyo’s Yurakucho and Shibuya districts, though these locations serve matcha and meals rather than beauty products. The physical stores maintain the utilitarian aesthetic developed in the original Kyoto shop: simple shelving, minimal signage, and packaging designed for function over display.

The Choco-Mint pop-up represents a seasonal departure. While the brand typically focuses on unscented, neutral formulations, this limited edition introduces menthol-cooling agents and chocolate fragrance to the product line—an acknowledgment of summer consumer preferences that diverges from the company’s historical emphasis on invisible, non-disruptive skincare maintenance.

Odaiba Beach Lantern Festival: Floating LED Wishes Over Tokyo Bay

Send your wishes into the night sky of Odaiba. As Golden Week approaches and recedes, Odaiba Kaihin Koen hosts a distinctive evening event that pairs traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern safety technology. “Odaiba Beach / Odaiba Lantern” offers two opportunities to participate—on April 25, just before the holiday begins, and on May 9, when the long weekend’s relaxation still lingers.

Unlike conventional sky lantern festivals, this event utilizes fire-free LED lanterns constructed with Japanese washi paper rather than synthetic balloon material. Each lantern floats via helium gas and remains tethered by an attached string, allowing for complete recovery after the event concludes—a design that addresses environmental concerns while maintaining the visual impact of floating lights. The washi paper diffuses the LED illumination into a soft, warm glow that distinguishes these lanterns from the harsher light of plastic alternatives, creating a luminous quality that resonates with traditional Japanese design sensibilities.

Participants release their lanterns against the backdrop of Odaiba’s iconic Rainbow Bridge, where the interplay of architectural lighting and floating washi lanterns creates a distinctive urban nightscape. The event provides a structured interval between daily routines and holiday leisure, utilizing the beach setting to anchor the ephemeral quality of light and intention in a specific physical location.

Event Details and Logistics

The festival operates on two Saturdays in 2026, with timing adjusted slightly between dates:

April 25, 2026

• Reception opens: 18:15
• Launch event: 19:15 (scheduled)

May 9, 2026

• Reception opens: 18:30
• Launch event: 19:30 (scheduled)

Venue and Access

The event takes place at Odaiba Kaihin Koen (Odaiba Beach), located at 1-4 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 〒135-0091. The venue is accessible via three stations: Daiba Station, Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station, and Tokyo Teleport Station. View map.

Pricing Structure

Admission is structured to accommodate small groups sharing lantern purchases:

• One lantern package (up to 4 participants): From 5,980 yen
• Two lantern package (up to 6 participants): From 8,980 yen

This pricing model makes the event viable for families, couples, or small friend groups who wish to participate collectively while managing individual costs.

Additional Information

The official website provides detailed registration procedures and any updates to scheduling or safety protocols: https://event.e-lantern.jp/

Please note that event details are subject to change. Verify current information through the official organizer’s website prior to attendance.

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Odaiba Kaihin Koen, also called Odaiba Marine Park, occupies the northeast shore of the artificial island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. The park centers on an 800-meter artificial beach constructed with imported white sand from the Izu Islands, facing central Tokyo across the water. The Rainbow Bridge spans the bay directly behind the beach, placing its suspension towers and white arc within the immediate sightline of anyone on the sand.

Developed in the 1990s as part of the Tokyo Waterfront City project, the beach uses filtered and circulated bay water that produces minimal wave action. Swimming is prohibited, but the gentle slope and calm surface make the water suitable for wading. Behind the sand, paved promenades and grass lawns accommodate cycling, picnicking, and walking. The area serves primarily as a recreational space for nearby residents and office workers during lunch hours and weekends.

The park’s lighting changes character after sunset. The Rainbow Bridge carries both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and its structural illumination reflects off the still water surface. The surrounding development includes hotels, shopping centers, and office buildings, whose interior lights remain visible across the dark water. This creates a distinct visual environment from the daytime, though the park remains functionally connected to the city’s transit and pedestrian networks.

The water’s stillness makes the location suitable for organized floating lantern events. Without tidal surf or strong currents, illuminated paper lanterns or small boats can drift in predictable patterns rather than dispersing immediately. The beach geometry provides direct water access while maintaining enough open distance for small craft to remain visible against the dark bay. These practical characteristics—minimal wave action, controlled entry points, and an unobstructed horizon—allow the park to function as a venue for evening water-based ceremonies that require stable surface conditions.

Aichi-Nagoya Open-Top Bus

To coincide with the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games, Nagoya City—together with Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.—will operate the Aichi-Nagoya Open-Top Bus as a public-private partnership initiative. This limited-time service runs from September 18 through October 24, 2026, offering a distinct vantage point for observing the city during a period of heightened international activity.

What is an Open-Top Bus?

An open-top bus is a double-decker vehicle with the upper deck fully exposed to the elements. Operating at a height of three meters above street level, the bus provides an unobstructed, elevated perspective of the urban landscape. The experience varies significantly depending on the time of day: daylight hours reveal the architectural textures and density of the city center, while night departures focus on illuminated infrastructure and civic buildings.

Tour Courses

All departures originate and conclude at Meieki Parklet, located near Nagoya Station. The operator runs two distinct itineraries—one optimized for daylight sightseeing, the other designed around nighttime illumination.

Day Course (Approx. 60 minutes): Royal Panorama Course

During daylight operations, the bus tours the city center with stops at Oasis 21, the Osu shopping district, and Sakae. A key feature of the daytime route is the option to disembark at Nagoya Castle to explore the grounds independently before making one’s own way back to the city center.

• Schedule:

  • Day Flight ①: Depart 14:00 → Return 15:00
  • Day Flight ②: Depart 16:00 → Return 17:00

• Route: Meieki Parklet (Boarding) → FUJI Nagoya Science Museum → Osu → Oasis 21 / Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER → Aichi Prefectural Government Office / Nagoya City Hall → IG Arena → Nagoya Castle (Drop-off possible) → In front of Nagoya Station (Alighting)

Night Course (Approx. 85 minutes): Nagoya Night View Enjoyment Course

The extended evening route incorporates a section of the Nagoya Expressway (Urban Expressway from Kogane to Higashishinmachi), providing a dynamic driving experience above street level. The itinerary positions passengers in close proximity to the illuminated facades of the Aichi Prefectural Government Office, Nagoya City Hall, Nagoya Castle, and the high-rise cluster surrounding Nagoya Station.

• Schedule:

  • Night Flight ①: Depart 18:00 → Return 19:25
  • Night Flight ②: Depart 20:00 → Return 21:25

• Route: Meieki Parklet (Boarding) → Nagoya Expressway → Oasis 21 / Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER → Nagoya Castle → Nagoya City Hall → Aichi Prefectural Government Office → In front of Nagoya Station (Alighting)

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Practical Information

Operating Period: September 18, 2026 (Friday) – October 24, 2026 (Saturday)
Closure Days: None—operates daily during the period
Departure Point: Meieki Parklet

Fares:

• Adults: Day flight 2,000 yen / Night flight 2,500 yen
• Children (ages 4–12, elementary school and under): Day flight 1,000 yen / Night flight 1,500 yen
• Children 3 years old and under: Free (however, if occupying a seat, the child fare applies)

Note: Multilingual audio guide devices are available for an additional service fee of 1,000 yen.

Reservations and Inquiries:
Meitetsu Kanko Bus Co., Ltd.
Dragons Pack Reservation Center
Tel: 052-365-1489

Official Website: https://www.dorapack.com/opentopbus

Weather Policy and Safety Precautions

The operator maintains specific protocols for inclement weather. In the event of rain, transparent raincoats are distributed free of charge at boarding; passengers must remain on the roofless second floor and are prohibited from using umbrellas. First-floor seating is not available during precipitation. Operations may be suspended without notice when the Japan Meteorological Agency issues weather advisories or warnings, or when wind conditions compromise safe operation.

Important Safety Notes:

• Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers on the upper deck and must remain fastened except when staff provide specific instructions to release them.
• Second-floor seats are reserved, though specific seat requests cannot be accommodated.
• The vehicle does not have restrooms; passengers should prepare accordingly before boarding.
• Do not touch vegetation or extend limbs through the open roof area while the bus is in motion.
• Routes may be modified due to traffic regulations or road conditions.
• Operation may be cancelled due to severe weather, mechanical issues, or safety concerns at the organizer’s discretion.
• Passengers should take appropriate measures against heatstroke or cold exposure depending on daily temperature conditions.

Nagoya ranks as Japan’s primary manufacturing hub and the historical seat of the Owari Tokugawa clan. The castle, reconstructed in 1959 after its wartime destruction, retains its original stone ramparts and moats from the early seventeenth century. Its roof is crowned with two gilded shachihoko—mythical tiger-headed carp cast in gold leaf—that were intended to ward off fire. The Tokugawa Art Museum holds the clan’s former collection, including the twelfth-century illustrated Tale of Genji scrolls designated as National Treasures, alongside samurai armor and tea ceremony implements. Meijo Park encompasses the keep, surrounding it with plum groves and the original foundation stones.

Toyota maintains its headquarters here, continuing the automotive production that began in 1937 when the company spun off from the Toyoda family’s automatic loom business. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology occupies the original red-brick factory, displaying textile looms beside vehicle assembly lines. The city center reflects this technical history: JR Central Towers house offices and a hotel directly above the Shinkansen platforms, while Oasis 21 in Sakae district suspends a water-filled glass roof above a bus terminal and underground shopping concourse.

Local cuisine relies on akamiso, a red miso fermented for up to three years in the region’s climate to produce a dark, dense paste. Restaurants serve it with miso katsu (breaded pork cutlet), tebasaki (crispy fried chicken wings glazed with garlic and spices), and hitsumabushi (grilled eel chopped over rice, traditionally eaten in three stages: plain, with condiments, then with tea poured over the remainder). Nagoya will host the 2026 Asian Games, utilizing port warehouses repurposed as media centers alongside new athletic venues in Aichi Prefecture.

The 2026 Hawaii Fair transforms Hankyu Umeda Main Store into a concentrated presentation of contemporary Hawaiian culture, operating under the theme “Nā Lei Aloha (The Aloha Spirit Connected by Lei).” This iteration distinguishes itself from previous editions through unprecedented expansion: approximately 110 vendors—the largest participation in the event’s history—will occupy not only the ninth-floor event space and Celebration Square but also multiple additional floors throughout the department store.

The culinary programming focuses specifically on current Hawaiian food trends, featuring burgers and sweets from vendors making their Japanese debut alongside established favorites. Complementing these edible imports, the fair offers fashion items and lifestyle goods rooted in traditions passed down within Hawaii. What separates this market from standard import exhibitions is the direct presence of staff members and artists traveling from Hawaii; these individuals will reside at the venue for the full two-week duration, facilitating authentic cultural exchange rather than mediated retail transactions.

Educational programming runs parallel to commercial activities. Visitors can attend live performances by ukulele and guitar musicians or participate in hands-on lei-making workshops designed to teach traditional craftsmanship techniques. These sessions provide structured opportunities to engage with Hawaiian cultural practices beyond the retail environment, offering context for the goods on display.

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Event Details

Period: July 1 (Wednesday) – July 13 (Monday), 2026
The event operates in two distinct phases: the first half runs from July 1 through July 6, while the second half begins July 8 and concludes July 13. The venue closes entirely on Tuesday, July 7.

Hours: 10:00 – 20:00 daily
Exceptions: The ninth-floor event space closes at 17:00 on July 6 and on the final day (July 13).

Location: Hankyu Umeda Main Store, 9th-floor event space, Celebration Square, and various additional floors
Address: 8-7 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City

Important scheduling notes: While the ninth-floor event space operates only during July 1–13 (closed July 7), floors other than the ninth remain open from July 1 through July 14. Certain areas within these various floors are excluded from the event. On July 6 and July 13, the ninth floor closes early at 17:00.

Admission: Free

Contact: 06-6361-1381 (Main)

Website: https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/honten/h/hawaii/index.html

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What is Hankyu Umeda Main Store?

The Hankyu Umeda Main Store is the flagship location of the Hankyu Department Store chain, situated directly above Hankyu Umeda Station in Osaka. The building spans thirteen floors, including two underground levels. The basement depachika stocks ingredients and prepared food from across Japan, while the lower floors focus on cosmetics, luxury accessories, and women’s fashion. Upper floors house men’s clothing, household goods, and restaurants. A rooftop garden occupies the top level, offering open space above the dense Umeda district.

Opened in 1929 and rebuilt several times since, the store functions primarily as a traditional department store, but the upper floors regularly transform into exhibition halls. Throughout the year, these spaces host temporary fairs that bring together vendors, tourism boards, and craftspeople from specific regions. The Hawaii Fair, held annually in various forms, utilizes these floors to display Hawaiian goods, offer regional cuisine, and stage performances, allowing visitors to handle products and speak directly with exhibitors rather than simply observing displays.

The store connects directly to Hankyu rail lines and sits adjacent to one of Osaka’s largest transit hubs. Underground walkways link it to JR Osaka Station, the Midosuji subway line, and the Hanshin railway. This placement makes it a practical stop for commuters and a central meeting point. Visitors often combine attendance at the store’s events with routine errands: purchasing food from the depachika, meeting contacts at the station gates, or accessing the broader Umeda shopping district without surfacing to street level.

Kimoi Exhibition 2026

The Kimoi Exhibition has returned to Tokyo Solamachi, presenting its distinctive collection of globally sourced organisms from May 23 through July 5, 2026. Following successful runs in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka that attracted diverse audiences including families and couples, this edition continues to challenge conventional perceptions of biological aesthetics. Rather than showcasing nature’s most charismatic specimens, the exhibition—named after the Japanese kimochi-warui (roughly translating to “disgusting” or “creepy”)—focuses on creatures whose unusual appearances mask sophisticated evolutionary achievements. Visitors have previously reported gaining new perspectives on ecology and rare species behavior, noting that encounters with these highly adapted organisms provoke genuine intellectual engagement beyond initial visceral reactions.

Understanding “Kimoi”

The exhibition operates on the principle that biological value exists independently of human aesthetic preferences. Each creature on display possesses specific morphological traits—unusual body plans, defensive colorations, or specialized feeding apparatuses—that represent optimized solutions to environmental challenges. While these forms may trigger immediate discomfort, they demonstrate the functional ingenuity required for survival in extreme or competitive habitats. The exhibition invites viewers to move beyond reflexive judgment and examine how these organisms influence and participate in their respective ecosystems.

Exhibition Features

AR Zone
Visitors can scan QR codes positioned throughout the venue to activate augmented reality experiences on their smartphones, revealing giant creature visualizations integrated into the physical space.

GM Street
This area employs projection mapping technology to emphasize the textural and structural details that contribute to the animals’ unsettling appearances.

Monster BOX
An interactive installation presenting mission-based challenges designed to engage visitors with the subject matter through structured activities.

Interaction Corner
Available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 15:00 to 15:30, this limited-duration program offers direct encounters with “Kimo-Ani” (Kimochi-warui Animals). Check schedules in advance, as this opportunity operates for only thirty minutes on select days.

Edible Insect Sales Corner
The specialized brand TAKEO operates a retail area selling edible insect products, providing a practical extension of the exhibition’s theme regarding alternative food sources and entomophagy.

Detailed programming information is available through the official website.

Visiting Information

Venue Location
Tokyo Solamachi, 5th Floor, Space 634
1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 〒131-0045
Nearest Stations: Tokyo Skytree Station / Oshiage <Skytree-mae> Station
MAP

Dates and Hours

• Period: May 23, 2026 (Saturday) – July 5, 2026 (Sunday)
• Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 daily
• Final Day: July 5 closes at 18:00
• Last Entry: 30 minutes before closing time

Admission

• Adults (Junior high school students and above): ¥1,200
• Children (Elementary school students and below): ¥800
• Toddlers (3 years old and under): Free
• Tax included in all prices

Contact
Kimoi Exhibition Secretariat
Email: [email protected]
Official Website: https://kimoiten.jp/kimo2026/site_tokyo.html

Exhibition content is subject to change. Please verify current information through the official venue and organizer websites.

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What is Kimoi?

Kimoi (キモい) derives from kimochi warui (気持ち悪い), meaning “unpleasant” or “gross.” The word pins down a specific biological fascination: animals that trigger immediate physiological revulsion yet hold our attention through sheer mechanical oddity.

Consider the blobfish, whose gelatinous body—adapted to high deep-sea pressure—collapses into a sagging mask when brought to the surface; the hagfish, which coats itself in defensive slime and ties its eel-like form into reversible knots to escape predators; or the Surinam toad, whose eggs embed in the skin of her back and hatch directly through. These creatures violate mammalian standards of bodily integrity: the sealed envelope of skin, symmetrical proportions, clear boundaries between interior and exterior. Deep-sea species compound this with translucent flesh, exposed needle teeth, and bioluminescent lures that look like engineered traps rather than organic growth.

This reaction has roots in disease avoidance. Human disgust evolved to detect corruption, parasitism, and boundary violations—signals that something is consumable, contaminated, or unsafe. Yet the same features that trigger recoil often mark extreme specialization. The lamprey’s circular sucker mouth, lined with concentric teeth of cartilage, efficiently anchors the parasite to host fish. The bone-eating worm Osedax extends acid-secreting “roots” into whale skeletons, dissolving collagen and lipids in an energy-scarce abyss. These are not evolutionary errors but precise solutions to specific environmental constraints.

Japanese popular culture has mapped this duality onto consumer aesthetics. Where kawaii culture privileges infantile proportions and softened features, kimoi encompasses the asymmetrical, the porous, and the incomplete. Blobfish plush toys and hagfish keychains share shelf space with traditional cute merchandise, suggesting that biological ingenuity can generate affection without requiring aesthetic comfort. The Kimoi Exhibition relies on this premise: by presenting these animals without sanitizing their strangeness—displaying the intestinal papillae of the hairworm or the prolapsed stomach of the starfish—it allows visitors to move past visceral reaction into an examination of how life actually functions when shaped by pressure, darkness, and scarcity rather than by human preferences for symmetry and fur.