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.

Hokkaido Melon Afternoon Tea [The Prince Park Tower Tokyo]

A refreshing tea time limited to summer, enjoyed alongside a magnificent view of Tokyo.

Hokkaido’s melons—cultivated in a climate defined by dramatic temperature swings between day and night—develop an intensity of aroma and a melting sweetness that has made them the region’s signature summer commodity. The Prince Park Tower Tokyo harnesses this agricultural specificity within its Lobby Lounge from July 1 through August 31, 2026, presenting an afternoon tea program that juxtaposes these sweet offerings against savories featuring distinctly northern proteins.

The seasonal menu operates within a three-hour framework (last entry at 18:00), though a condensed Late Afternoon Tea option—guaranteeing tower-view seating in a two-hour format starting at either 17:00 or 18:00—provides an alternative for those prioritizing the vista over extended hours.

The Culinary Program

Pastry presentations center on the Vacherin “Shiny Melon,” where crisp meringue encases juicy green-flesh melon, creating a textural dialogue between shatter and yielding fruit. This anchors a sweet selection that includes a fraisier paired with fresh mint and a granité composed like a frozen cocktail suspended in chilled melon soup. The savory dimension incorporates Hokkaido’s terrestrial and marine resources: a mini-burger sandwiches Ezo deer pâté—one of the island’s representative game meats—within milk-enriched buns, while carpaccio of water octopus arrives dressed with vibrant vegetables. A welcome Sencha Soda opens the progression.

The Menu

◆ Welcome Drink: Sencha Soda

<Sweets>

• Shiny Melon
• Milky Melon
• Melon Mint Cake
• Galette Bretonne
• Melon Mocktail
• Scones (Haskap, Milk)

<Savory>

• Ezo Deer Burger
• Water Octopus Carpaccio
• Vichyssoise
• Salmon Gelee

Ingredients and menus may change depending on procurement conditions.
Photos are for illustrative purposes.
Please check the official website for detailed contents.

Practical Information

In a Tokyo summer where the meteorological designation “kokusho-bi” (extremely hot day) has become standard vocabulary, this afternoon tea offers a literal and figurative cooldown—providing respite from the heat while transporting the aesthetic of Hokkaido’s fields to the capital’s skyline.

Venue & Access

Location: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Venue: Lobby Lounge (1F)
Address: 〒105-8563, 4-8-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Nearest Stations: Shibakoen Station / Onarimon Station / Akabanebashi Station / Hamamatsucho Station / Daimon (Tokyo) Station

Dates & Hours

Period: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026
Standard Seating: 12:00 – 20:00 (Last entry 18:00) | 3-hour system
Late Afternoon Tea: 17:00 or 18:00 | Tower-view seat guaranteed | 2-hour system

Pricing

Standard Afternoon Tea:

• Weekdays: ¥8,000 per person
• Weekends/Holidays: ¥8,500 per person

Late Afternoon Tea:

• Weekdays: ¥7,500 per person
• Weekends/Holidays: ¥8,000 per person

Reservations

Phone: 03-5400-1170 (Available 10:00–18:00)
Official Website: Prince Hotels – Afternoon Tea 2026

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 are Hokkaido melons?

Hokkaido melons, particularly the Yubari King and Earl’s varieties, are specialty muskmelons grown in Japan’s northernmost prefecture. Unlike standard cantaloupes, these cultivars are bred for extremely high sugar content and uniform appearance, thriving in Hokkaido’s volcanic soil and wide day-night temperature variations that slow sugar accumulation while preserving structural integrity.

The cultivation methods differ significantly from conventional farming. Growers prune each vine to produce a single melon, concentrating the plant’s nutrients into one fruit. Farmers adjust the melon’s position regularly to ensure even sun exposure and prevent ground contact, and some cover the developing fruit with paper caps to prevent sunburn and moderate temperature. The distinctive net-like pattern on the rind develops through careful humidity management, with some farmers wiping the surface to encourage uniform cracking as the fruit expands.

Quality standards are stringent and standardized. Premium specimens exhibit symmetrical roundness, dense orange flesh, and sugar levels exceeding 15%, compared to 10-12% for typical grocery store cantaloupes. Professional inspectors grade the stem end, netting pattern, and fragrance. The stem is cut to leave a T-shaped base, a visual marker of proper harvest technique. Grade labels range from “fuji” (highest) to “yuki” (standard), with perfect specimens selling at auction for thousands of dollars.

In Japanese consumer culture, these melons function as high-value gifts rather than everyday fruit. The gifting season peaks during summer chugen and year-end oseibo exchanges, when presentation carries particular social weight. Department stores sell them in wooden boxes with documentation of their origin farm and individual tracking numbers. The season runs June through August, with prices reflecting both the labor-intensive growing process—some farmers spend over 100 days managing a single fruit—and the market value placed on flawless agricultural products in gift-giving contexts.

As the Osaka-Kansai Expo concludes, the cultural momentum shifts north to Umekita, where Grand Green Osaka emerges as the new focal point for international exchange. Bakushokuonsai GG—translated as the Wheat Eating Sound Festival—represents one of the most significant “After Expo” events to inherit the exposition’s spirit of global connection, channeling the Expo’s international focus into a three-day celebration of craft beer, world cuisine, and performing arts.

This third iteration of the festival distinguishes itself through scale and specificity. While previous editions established the template of combining craft beer with multicultural programming, the 2026 installment expands to encompass food and cultural contributions from over fifty participating countries and regions. The result is not merely a food festival with background music, nor a concert with catering, but a deliberate integration of gastronomy and performance where craft beer stalls sit adjacent to stages featuring representative musicians, DJs, dance troupes, and theatrical performers from across the globe.

The programming engages multiple senses simultaneously. With contributions from over fifty nations and regions, visitors encounter combinations of sound, taste, and movement designed to transcend cultural barriers through immediate, sensory experience rather than passive observation. This approach reflects the Expo’s legacy of international dialogue, compressed into an accessible, park-based format that requires no admission fee—an intentional contrast to the Expo’s ticketing complexity.

Event Details

Set within the newly developed Umekita district, the festival occupies Grand Green Osaka at Umekita Park, a modern urban green space designed to host precisely this scale of international gathering.

• Dates: Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July 12, 2026
• Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 daily
• Location: Grand Green Osaka, Umekita Park (5 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
• Admission: Free
• Website: https://www.instagram.com/bakushoku_afterexpo

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What is Grand Green Osaka?

Grand Green Osaka (グラングリーン大阪), abbreviated as “GG”, is a 4.5-hectare urban development occupying the former Umeda Freight Yard north of Osaka Station. Completed in phases during 2024 and 2025, the project replaces a century of industrial rail infrastructure with public space, commercial facilities, and pedestrian infrastructure that finally integrates the previously isolated northern Umeda district into the station area.

The development centers on Ume-Kita Park (うめきた公園), built on a deck approximately four meters above street level. This elevation separates the park’s lawn and plaza areas from the traffic and pedestrian congestion below, accessible via stairways, escalators, and elevators from the surrounding streets. The raised design allows the space to function as both a neighborhood park and a venue for substantial events without disrupting the flow of commuters through the district.

Surrounding the park are mixed-use towers containing offices, hotels, and retail. The South Tower and North Tower complexes frame the green space on two sides, with retail podiums at ground level and hotel entrances opening directly onto the plaza. The buildings house approximately ninety commercial tenants along with hotel accommodations. The architectural massing maintains sight lines across the park while providing the density and foot traffic necessary to support the site’s public infrastructure.

For Bakushokuonsai GG 2026, the venue offers specific logistical advantages. The main lawn accommodates standing crowds of several thousand, while adjacent covered civic plazas provide weather-protected areas for vendors, stages, and seating. The site connects directly to Osaka Station via the Ume-Kita underground passage, which allows visitors to walk from the main concourse to the festival grounds without navigating Umeda’s complex, grade-separated street intersections or crossing surface traffic.

The festival operates under an open admission policy; there are no gates or ticket barriers separating the park from the surrounding commercial areas. Visitors can move freely between the event grounds, the adjacent retail spaces, and the station, treating the festival as part of the district’s normal pedestrian circulation rather than a sealed destination. This arrangement reflects the site’s intended function as public thoroughfare as much as programmed event space.

TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA 2026 Summer

A mapping fireworks display you can enjoy every day at a cool observation deck!

This event represents “urban entertainment” that fuses projection mapping and light effects against the backdrop of Tokyo’s beautiful night view. In the summer version, fantastical light effects themed around “fireworks” and “fireflies” are deployed, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of summer while remaining in the heart of the city.

What distinguishes the 2026 summer edition from previous iterations is the introduction of new light effects specifically designed to heighten immersion. Delicate yellow lights that evoke fireflies—created using particle laser technology—float through the space, establishing a genuinely fantastical atmosphere. Meanwhile, floor gobo lights (a new addition for this summer version) project colorful fireworks patterns that spread beneath your feet, transforming the entire observation deck into something resembling a summer festival. By overlapping these projected images with the real Tokyo night view visible through the large window surfaces of the Main Deck, the event achieves a “fireworks viewing experience that can only be had here.”

This summer also introduces a symbolic spatial element following the spring cherry blossom candle effects: candle structures utilizing bamboo and driftwood that evoke traditional Japanese summer aesthetics. These will be installed in the center of the mapping area from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, September 6, expressing a new light display concept of “Japanese style × Summer.”

The practical advantage of this event is its complete indoor setting—meaning you can enjoy spectacular summer-themed visuals without enduring the season’s notorious humidity and heat. This makes it suitable for various occasions: night dates, outings with friends, or tourists seeking a distinctive Tokyo experience. It functions as a “new summer staple spot” where Tokyo’s night view and fireworks-like light effects coexist simultaneously.

*Please check the official website for detailed contents.

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Basic Information

Location / Nearest Station	Tokyo Tower<br>Kamiyacho Station / Onarimon Station / Akabanebashi Station / Hamamatsucho Station / Daimon (Tokyo) Station
Address	〒105-0011<br>4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo<br>MAP
Venue	Tokyo Tower Main Deck (Height 150m), 2nd Floor North Side
Event Period	2026/05/11 (Mon) ～ 2026/09/06 (Sun)
Hours	• 5/11 (Mon) ～ 6/7 (Sun): 19:00 ～ 22:50<br>• 6/8 (Mon) ～ 7/12 (Sun): 19:30 ～ 22:50<br>• 7/13 (Mon) ～ 8/16 (Sun): 19:00 ～ 22:50<br>• 8/17 (Mon) ～ 9/6 (Sun): 18:30 ～ 22:50<br>*The display repeats during these times
Fees	Can be enjoyed with only the observation fee to the Main Deck
Official Website	https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/event/summerlandscape2026/

*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 Tokyo Tower?

Tokyo Tower stands 333 meters in Minato ward, completed in 1958 as a broadcasting structure inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s lattice design. It’s painted international orange and white for aviation safety, a color scheme that has become inseparable from its identity. While the Tokyo Skytree assumed most broadcasting duties in 2012, the tower continues to transmit some signals and serves as a backup facility.

The tower operates two observation decks at 150 and 250 meters. On clear days, visitors can see Mount Fuji; after dark, the view encompasses the city’s illuminated grid. These vantage points remain popular despite competing attractions, partly because of the tower’s central location and lower admission costs compared to newer alternatives.

Its structural history reflects postwar Japan’s reconstruction period. The steel was drawn from American tanks damaged in the Korean War, melted down and repurposed. This detail is often omitted from promotional materials but shapes how some visitors experience the site.

The surrounding commercial complex includes aquariums, wax museums, and retail spaces that generate revenue independent of the observation decks. The tower’s illuminated exterior changes seasonally—standard lighting, special holiday configurations, and occasional corporate sponsorship displays that have drawn criticism from preservation advocates.

Practical visitor information: the main deck accommodates wheelchairs and strollers; the upper deck requires navigating stairs. Lines form predictably before sunset on weekends. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the official website, though weekday mornings rarely require reservations.

niko and … Xmas Market: A Rooftop Holiday Wonderland in Shinjuku

This Christmas, experience the magic of a European Christmas market right in the heart of Tokyo! For the first time ever, the rooftop of Lumine 1 in Shinjuku will transform into a festive wonderland, offering a unique holiday experience curated by the style editorial brand, niko and … . Prepare to indulge all five senses with a curated selection of shops, food, music, and workshops.

What Makes This Market Special?

Unlike typical summer rooftop events, this is the first winter event held on the Lumine 1 rooftop, offering a fresh and festive atmosphere. Here’s what awaits you:

• A Curated Experience: niko and … has hand-picked vendors offering unique clothing, food, lifestyle goods, entertainment, and workshops, creating a vibrant and diverse market experience. Think of it as a carefully edited magazine, brought to life!

• "Impossible to Buy" Treats: Snag some of the most sought-after treats in Tokyo, all in one place! This includes the limited-edition Kit Kat "collaboration drink" that caused a social media frenzy last year, and the chance to skip the infamous 4-hour line at "A WORKS" cheesecake shop (usually open only 3 days a month near Gakugei Daigaku Station) thanks to a special niko and … collaboration.

• Interactive Fun: Beyond shopping, enjoy live music performances by singer-songwriter Chippoke Ohashi, DJ sets, and workshops where you can create personalized charms. This market caters to diverse interests, with a special focus on Gen Z fashion and accessories.

Event Details:

• Dates: December 13th (Fri) – December 25th (Wed), 2024. Individual event dates may vary; please check the official website for details.
• Location: Lumine Shinjuku Lumine 1 Rooftop, a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
• Address: 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi-Shinjuku 1-1-5 MAP
• Official Website: https://www.nikoand.jp/news/14224/

Plan Your Visit:

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Please note that event details are subject to change. Always check the official website for the latest information.

What is niko and…?

niko and… is a Japanese lifestyle brand that offers a varied selection of fashion, home goods, and accessories. It aims to provide a shopping experience that combines style, comfort, and practicality, catering to diverse tastes. The brand’s range includes trendy apparel, distinctive home decor, and unique accessories, all thoughtfully curated to help express one’s personal style. By focusing on individuality and creativity, niko and… maintains a dedicated customer base in Japan and abroad. The brand’s products are designed to integrate smoothly into everyday life while offering an element of uniqueness.

Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2024: Experience Authentic German Holiday Cheer

Celebrate the holidays with German treats, treasures, and traditions!

Get ready to experience the magic of a traditional German Christmas market right in the heart of Tokyo! The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market returns for its 18th year, bringing festive cheer and authentic German experiences to O-yane Plaza. This year, ten charming stalls overflowing with handcrafted gifts, twinkling ornaments, and savory delights await you.

Discover Unique Christmas Treasures

Four dedicated shops, including the renowned Käthe Wohlfahrt—exclusive to Japan during the Christmas season—offer over 2,000 unique items. Find exquisite ornaments, festive wreaths, traditional incense smokers ("Smoky"), and other treasures to adorn your home and create lasting holiday memories. This is your chance to discover one-of-a-kind gifts and decorations not found anywhere else in Japan.

Indulge in Authentic German Flavors

Treat yourself to hearty German cuisine, including sizzling sausages, warming Glühwein (mulled wine), and rich German-style beef stew ("Gulasch"). Grab a quick bite like a hot dog as you stroll through the market and soak in the festive ambiance.

Warm Your Heart with GEORGIA’s Festive Cheer

GEORGIA adds a touch of warmth to the winter season with a heartwarming short drama celebrating the spirit of togetherness. Capture the magic at a dedicated photo spot designed to create lasting memories. As a special bonus, follow GEORGIA’s official SNS and receive a GEORGIA product with a limited-edition original label! This offer runs from December 21st to 25th, between 11:00 and 19:00. Available while supplies last.

Event Details

• Location: Roppongi Hills O-yane Plaza (Large Roof Plaza)
• Address: 6-chome, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 〒106-6108 Map
• Nearest Stations: Roppongi, Nogizaka, Azabu-Juban
• Dates: November 23rd (Sat/Holiday) – December 25th (Wed), 2024
• Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
• Official Website: https://www.christmas.hills-site.com/illumination-event/roppongi/101/

Please note that event details are subject to change. Refer to the official website for the latest information.

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What is Roppongi Hills?

Roppongi Hills is a prominent urban development located in the Roppongi district of Tokyo, Japan. Officially opened in 2003, it is a sophisticated complex designed to integrate various facets of city life, blending residential, commercial, and cultural spaces. The centerpiece of Roppongi Hills is the Mori Tower, a 54-story skyscraper that houses offices, retail spaces, and the renowned Mori Art Museum, which regularly host cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions.

Beyond the towering architecture, Roppongi Hills is known for its vibrant dining and shopping scenes, featuring a range of high-end boutiques, international brand stores, and gourmet restaurants. The area is also a significant cultural hub, with amenities such as a state-of-the-art cinema complex, an open-air amphitheater, and beautifully landscaped gardens that offer stunning views of Tokyo’s skyline.

This dynamic setting makes Roppongi Hills a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a rich blend of entertainment, culture, and commerce within a modern and stylish urban environment. Throughout the year, it hosts a variety of events and festivals, making it an ideal location for the annual Roppongi Hills Christmas Market, where visitors can experience a taste of German holiday traditions right in the heart of Tokyo.