Matcha and Hydrangea Afternoon Tea with Gion Tsujiri

A refreshing early summer moment enjoying Gion Tsujiri’s matcha in the season when hydrangeas bloom beautifully, glistening with raindrops.

Each spring, the afternoon tea series at select venues draws consistent attention for its rotating seasonal themes and meticulous execution by an exclusive pastry chef. This year’s early summer installment centers on Gion Tsujiri’s matcha—renowned for its depth of aroma and umami—set against the visual motif of hydrangeas in peak bloom, their petals heavy with raindrops.

The first tier presents a study in contrasts: a Japanese-Western fusion Hojicha Verrine layered with seasonal fruits and shiratama dango; a Matcha Opera built from multiple strata of traditional matcha; and a translucent jelly whose appearance evokes the specific phenomenon of hydrangeas glistening after rainfall.

The second tier comprises six distinct preparations where the pastry chef deploys Gion Tsujiri’s matcha and hojicha in concentrated form. Notable compositions include a mousse calibrated so the slight bitterness of matcha meets the sweet-tart edge of strawberries; hojicha cookie butter sandwiches finished with edible flowers; and a hojicha tart where the textural interplay between crisp pastry shell and rich cream receives deliberate emphasis.

The third tier balances the preceding sweetness with three savory items: a bonito consommé whose aroma derives from carefully extracted dashi; a chicken ham open sandwich accented by the crunch of lightly pickled burdock; and a matcha couscous tabbouleh with marinated tuna that extends the tea theme into the savory realm.

Those seeking amplification of the core experience may add the Uji Matcha and Strawberry Parfait with Gion Tsujiri (from 2,990 yen including cafe charge), engineered to deliver both matcha and hojicha simultaneously through tiered ingredients that preserve each tea’s distinct character.

---

Menu Details

Sweets

• Hojicha Verrine
• Butterfly Pea Jelly
• Matcha Opera
• Strawberry and Matcha Mousse
• Hojicha Cookie Butter Sandwich
• Hojicha Tart

Savories

• Bonito Consommé Soup
• Lightly Pickled Burdock and Chicken Ham Open Sandwich
• Matcha and Couscous Tabbouleh Salad with Marinated Tuna

Scone Stand

• Matcha and White Chocolate
• Plain (served with condensed milk)

Drinks

Yokohama and Omiya Stores: All-you-can-drink tea (Mariage Frères), coffee, etc. (last order at 90 minutes)

Tokyo Shirokane Store:

Plan	Inclusions
Standard	1 cup of Mariage Frères tea + all-you-can-drink tea, coffee, soft drinks
Tea Selection	Mariage Frères tea selection + all drinks from Standard Plan

Options

• Parfait (from 2,990 yen including cafe charge)
• Mini Parfait
• French Fries
• Matcha Drink (Hot & Ice)

Items other than the parfait may be ordered as a set with the afternoon tea. The Tokyo Shirokane store offers only mini parfaits and matcha drinks (hot & ice).

---

Practical Information

Venues & Access

Venue	Location	Nearest Station
Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama	Yokohama	Sakuragicho Station
Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant Shikiteni	Saitama	Toro Station / Kamomiya Station
Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club	Tokyo	Meguro Station

Event Period

• Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama: Wednesday, May 13 – Monday, June 29, 2026 | Closed Tuesdays
• Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant Shikiteni: Wednesday, May 13 – Monday, June 29, 2026 | Closed Tuesdays
• Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club: Thursday, May 14, 28; Friday, May 29; Thursday, June 4; Friday, June 19 | Closed Mondays, Tuesdays (except holidays), and company-designated days

Hours

Venue	Hours	Last Entry
Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama	Weekdays 12:00–17:00; Weekends/Holidays 14:00–16:30	15:00
Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant	11:00–16:30	15:00
Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club	12:00–14:00	Reception closes 15 minutes prior; L.O. 30 minutes prior

Pricing

Venue	Weekdays	Weekends/Holidays
Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama	from 5,500 yen	from 6,000 yen
Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant	from 4,580 yen	from 4,800 yen
Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club	from 5,500 yen (flat rate)	—

All prices include consumption tax and a 15% service charge.

Reservations & Inquiries

Venue	Phone
Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama	045-260-8845
Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant Shikiteni	048-662-5551
Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club	03-5475-3388

Official Sites

• Ristorante Mangiare Iseyama
• Omiya Riku Cafe & Restaurant Shikiteni
• Shirokane Geihinkan Art Grace Club

Listed content may be subject to change. Please confirm current details through the official venue or organizer website.

---

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

What is Tsujiri?

Tsujiri is a Japanese tea company founded in 1860 in Kyoto’s Gion district by Tsuji Riemon, a tea merchant who concentrated on developing methods for matcha cultivation and production. The original shop still operates in the same location.

Riemon’s work centered on refining tea processing techniques and establishing quality standards. His methods attracted enough attention that he received recognition from the imperial court—a formal acknowledgment of his contribution to tea production rather than a narrative of revolutionary transformation.

The company has since expanded into cafés and confectionery shops across Japan. These locations serve matcha drinks, desserts, and seasonal items, with the Tsujiri brand associated specifically with Uji matcha, a variety grown in the Uji region near Kyoto.

The Gion Tsujiri name refers to the original flagship operation, maintaining the connection to the company’s founding location while operating as a modern business.

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.

---

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.

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

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.

Utsukushikunaru Beer Garden / Matsuya Ginza

The beer garden returns to the rooftop of Matsuya Ginza this year! You can enjoy a menu incorporating Mexican essences in a space full of a sense of openness.

This year’s theme, “A Touch of Mexican Spirit: Beautifully, Freely, Cheerfully,” marks a notable evolution from previous iterations. Where earlier seasons centered on grilled dishes alone, the 2026 program expands into full Mexican territory—tacos, fresh salsa, and tequila cocktails now share equal billing with the fire-kissed proteins. The result is an atmosphere that channels the cheerful spontaneity of Mexican food culture rather than merely borrowing its flavors.

The rooftop setting remains the draw. Under open sky with breeze threading through, sofa seating and terrace arrangements designed for photographs create distinct zones. Latin music and saturated color accents complete the environmental shift without overstatement.

---

Featured Menu

Standard Plan (7,700 yen per person)
The foundational option centers on beef sirloin, domestic pork from Nihonbashi Hiyama, young chicken from Ginza Gyukura, coarse-ground wiener, and chorizo from Rohmaya. Accompaniments include guacamole, salad, and tacos to close. Two-hour seating with all-you-can-drink included.

Note: Four total plans accommodate different group sizes and preferences—the Standard Plan suits straightforward gatherings, while upgraded tiers (inquire directly) layer in additional courses or premium proteins.

---

Beverage Program

Category	Selection
Draft Beer	Asahi
Craft Beer	6 varieties, including Modelo Especial
Beer Cocktails	4 types
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails	3 types
Non-Alcoholic Beer	1 type

The inclusion of Modelo Especial—a Mexican import rarely found at Tokyo beer gardens—signals the thematic commitment more clearly than any decoration could.

---

Practical Considerations

Heat Countermeasures: Paper fans (uchiwa) distributed; ice water available

Barbecue Format: Hands-free—staff manage the grilling

Seating: 250 outdoor seats maximum; groups up to 250 people accommodated

Weather: Roofed structure permits operation in rain; wind may introduce precipitation into seating areas. Severe weather triggers cancellation.

Reservations: Web booking available; walk-ins accepted with same-day seats often accessible

Payment: Credit card, QR code, electronic money, cash

---

Access & Hours

Location: Matsuya Ginza Rooftop
Address: 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8130
MAP

Nearest Stations:

• Ginza Station: 1 minute walk
• Ginza-itchome Station: 3 minutes
• Higashi-ginza Station: 3 minutes
• Yurakucho Station: 8 minutes

Event Period: May 20 – September 30, 2026

Day	Hours	Final Entry
Weekdays	17:00–22:00	20:00
Saturdays/Holidays	12:00–22:00	20:00
Sundays/Last day of consecutive holidays	12:00–21:30	19:30

• Last food order: 1 hour before closing
• Last drink order: 30 minutes before closing
• Hands-free BBQ final start: 20:00

---

Contact & Information

Inquiry: 050-3623-3937
Staff available 12:00–21:00; 24-hour automated guidance

Official Site: https://utsukushikunaru-beergarden.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utsukushikunaru_beergarden/

The published content may have changed. Please check the venue or organizer’s official website for the latest information.

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

---

What is Matsuya Ginza?

Matsuya Ginza is a historic department store in Tokyo’s Ginza district, founded in 1869 and operating from its current building since 1923. It stands among Japan’s oldest surviving department stores, occupying a prominent position on the central Ginza thoroughfare.

The store serves a clientele drawn to high-end fashion, cosmetics, traditional crafts, and gourmet food. Its multiple floors maintain a restrained atmosphere that owes as much to the surrounding neighborhood’s character as to any deliberate preservation effort. The result is a shopping environment that feels distinct from the explicit luxury branding common in newer retail developments.

On the rooftop, a seasonal beer garden operates during warmer months. The space offers open-air seating with views across the Ginza skyline—an unobtrusive addition that draws steady visitors without aggressive promotion. The concept is straightforward: quality drinks, adequate service, and temporary relief from the street-level density below. In a district where many establishments compete for distinction through novelty or spectacle, this relative modesty is itself notable.

The store’s longevity suggests that certain approaches to retail—consistency over reinvention, understatement over announcement—retain their effectiveness. Whether this constitutes a deliberate strategy or simply institutional inertia is difficult to determine from outside. Either interpretation is compatible with what visitors actually encounter.

Akigawa Valley Hydrangea Festival 2026

A miraculous floral landscape in early summer Tokyo. The “Akigawa Valley Hydrangea Festival 2026” will be held.

During the blooming season, in addition to the “Instagram Photo Contest #AkigawaHydrangea2026” and the sale of “hydrangea-limited gourmet food & goods,” there are advantageous set plans to enjoy flower sightseeing and BBQ nearby, as well as advantageous set tickets for the skin-beautifying hot spring “Akigawa Valley Sene-no-Yu,” which has previously won 1st place in the “Smooth Skin Category” of the National Hot Spring Election. Furthermore, for the first time this year, a two-day limited “Hydrangea Special Tour” will be implemented. Additionally, coupon pamphlets providing discounts at restaurants and for the purchase of local specialties within Akiruno City will be distributed at the reception of the two hydrangea spots, so why not fully enjoy the Akigawa Valley in early summer?

What distinguishes this festival from other floral events in the Tokyo region is the scale and personal history behind its two signature mountains—one cultivated by a single individual’s 50-year devotion, the other offering rare white hydrangea varieties across a vast 30,000-square-meter landscape. Visitors can combine flower viewing with hot spring bathing, local cuisine, and hands-on workshops rather than confining themselves to a single activity.

---

■ Flower Mountain One: A hydrangea paradise where 50 years of passion bloom, “Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain”

This is a mountain where Mr. Chuichi Minamisawa, who lived in this area, continued to plant hydrangeas with the wish to “fill the path to his parents’ graves with hydrangeas.” Because he wanted to see everyone’s happy faces, he continued planting hydrangeas for 50 years, and now the number of hydrangeas blooming on the mountain exceeds 15,000 plants. There are over 50 types of hydrangeas, including rare varieties that are seldom seen in Japan. Surrounded by tall trees, for about one month from June, vivid hydrangeas in blue, purple, and white bloom in profusion, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

The mountain’s origin as a personal tribute that gradually transformed into a public garden lends it an emotional texture absent from commercially developed attractions. The dense canopy of surrounding trees filters sunlight into dappled patterns across the blooms, producing photographic conditions that change perceptibly across the day.

Admission	Adults (Junior high school students and older) 600 yen / Children (Elementary school students) 400 yen
	* Preschoolers are free
	* All displayed prices include tax
Inquiries	090-5540-9100 (Person in charge: Takamizu)

Access: Please come to the mountain from JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station by foot, taxi, or the limited-time paid shuttle bus.

Note: Since there is no parking available, if you come by car, please use the coin parking lots around “Musashi-Itsukaichi Station.”

---

■ Flower Mountain Two: Pure white Annabelles that enchant visitors, “Wan-derful Nature Village Hydrangea Mountain”

The hydrangea mountain is located within the Wan-derful Nature Village, adjacent to Tokyo Summerland. In the hydrangea area of approximately 30,000 square meters, you can enjoy the performance of approximately 60 species and 15,000 hydrangea plants, such as the “Annabelle Snowy Mountain” where pure white Annabelle hydrangeas grow in clusters. At the entrance of the hydrangea area, white and pink Annabelles blooming at the foot of the mountain gently welcome visitors. As you proceed along the hiking course surrounded by colorful hydrangeas, the “Annabelle Snowy Mountain,” which dyes the entire slope in pure white, spreads out before your eyes. Furthermore, from the mountaintop, a magnificent view spreads out, overlooking the grand mountain range of Okutama and the clear stream of the Akigawa River.

The progression from colored varieties at lower elevation to the dramatic monochromatic display higher up creates a structured narrative experience for visitors walking the course. The mountaintop vantage point—unusual for a hydrangea garden—adds topographical variety that justifies the physical effort of ascent.

Admission	Adults (Junior high school students and older) 850 yen / Elementary school students and younger are free
Parking fee	Standard cars 700 yen / Motorcycles 300 yen / Buses 2,000 yen
	* All displayed prices include tax
Inquiries	042-558-5861

Access:

• By car: Please use the Wan-derful Nature Village parking lot.
• By train: Please take a taxi or local bus from JR Akigawa Station to Tokyo Summerland; from Tokyo Summerland to Wan-derful Nature Village, please use the free shuttle bus.

---

■ Limited to 2 days! “Savoring Flowers and the Breeze” A luxurious one-day trip to two hydrangea mountains and the satoyama countryside

A special day visiting two hydrangea mountains in the Akigawa Valley in early summer, guided by local staff. Staff who manage the mountains will introduce stories that can only be heard here, such as the behind-the-scenes of pruning and care to make the flowers bloom beautifully. Furthermore, you can experience the “Hydrangea Flower Temari Making” workshop, limited to this tour, making it a program where you can feel the charm of hydrangeas more deeply. Please enjoy a heart-filling healing time along with a satoyama lunch using local ingredients and a hot spring.

This tour addresses a practical challenge many visitors face: the two mountains, while both in the Akigawa Valley, require separate transit arrangements on ordinary days. The guided format eliminates navigation concerns while adding narrative context that solitary visitors would miss. The workshop component—dried flower temari creation—produces a keepsake with longer utility than standard tourist photographs.

Event Overview
Dates	Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st
Time	8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
Capacity	20 people per day
Minimum participants	10 people for each day
Participation fee	16,500 yen per person (tax included)

Itinerary:

Time	Activity
8:45	JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (Gathering)
9:00–10:15	Visit to Wan-derful Nature Village Hydrangea Mountain (with local guide)
	* Limited workshop “Dried Flower Making”
10:45–12:00	Visit to Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain (with local guide)
12:30–13:30	Private room lunch / Exquisite gourmet using local specialties at Ishifune dining
13:30–15:00	Akigawa Valley Sene-no-Yu “Shopping / Hot spring bath (Free entry for each individual *separate fee)”
15:30	JR Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (Dismissal)

All photos are for illustrative purposes only.

---

Additional Program Information

• Instagram Photo Contest “#AkigawaHydrangea2026”
• Sale of hydrangea-limited gourmet food & goods
• Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain × Shizenjin Village BBQ
• Wan-derful Nature Village Hydrangea Mountain & BBQ

Please check the official website for detailed information.

---

Basic Information

Location / Nearest Station	Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain: Musashi-Itsukaichi Station
	Tokyo Summerland Wan-derful Nature Village: Akigawa Station
Period	2026/06/06 (Sat) ～ 2026/07/05 (Sun)
Time	Start 9:00 / End 17:00
Official Website	https://tokyomountain-tours.jp/ajisaimatsuri/ja/index.html

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

🛏️ View hotels near Tokyo

What is Akigawa Valley?

Akigawa Valley is a gorge in western Tokyo, about 90 minutes from Shinjuku by train. The Akigawa River carved it over millennia, leaving a 20-kilometer stretch of terrain that now sits within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. It is one of the easier natural escapes from the capital.

The valley sits lower than the surrounding hills, which traps cool air and moisture. Hydrangeas grow well here. Limestone cliffs rise on both sides of the river, and the slopes are covered with cedar and broadleaf forest—maples and beeches among them—that redden in autumn. Hiking trails run through the hills, connecting villages, old railway tunnels, and occasional shrines.

The area industrialized briefly during the Meiji era. Limestone mining and silk production brought workers and infrastructure; when those industries faded, the railways were abandoned and the mines closed. What remains—overgrown tracks, stone walls, restored wooden buildings—now forms part of the landscape. The term “satoyama” describes this kind of place, where settlement and forest have coexisted long enough to feel interdependent.

In early summer, when Tokyo’s eastern wards grow humid and stagnant, the valley stays three or four degrees cooler. The river and the elevation keep the air moist. Hydrangeas bloom longer here than in most of the region, and two mountains in particular—Mt. Hinokiboramaru and the western approach to Mt. Takao—draw visitors from the city for the flowers.

Zojoji Tanabata Festival

The Zojoji Tanabata Festival offers visitors the opportunity to experience a fantastical Tanabata night, characterized by the visual splendor of colorful strips of paper—known as tanzaku—and the soft glow of washi paper candles. This celebration transforms the temple grounds into a space of reflection and traditional beauty.

Participating in the Traditions

From mid-June, a "Wish Writing Station" is established next to the plaza in front of the Main Hall, allowing visitors to participate in the tradition of writing their hopes and dreams. These wishes, inscribed on paper strips, are later prayed for during the "Tanabata-kai" ceremony, which takes place on July 7th starting at 17:30.

For those seeking specific success or victory, the Ankokuden hosts the "Tanabata Victory Luck Prayer Meeting." During this event, prayers for victory and success are offered to the Black Principal Image of Amida Nyorai, and visitors may obtain limited-edition Tanabata amulets.

Wish Writing Station

The "Tanabata-kai" ceremony occurs at the plaza in front of the Main Hall on July 7th from 17:30. The reception for writing wishes follows a staggered schedule:

• June 13th – 30th: 9:00 – 17:00
• July 1st – 5th: 9:00 – 20:00
• July 6th and 7th: 9:00 – 21:00

A prayer fee of 200 yen per paper strip is required for participation.

Ankokuden Offerings

As part of the "Tanabata Victory Luck Prayer Meeting," the temple provides prayers for victory luck along with the distribution of goshuin (temple stamps) and amulets.

Reception Dates and Times:

• July 6th (Mon): 19:00
• July 7th (Tue): 18:00, 19:00, 20:00

The prayer fee is 3,000 yen, which includes a limited-edition Tanabata victory luck amulet. Please note that these are available in limited quantities and will be discontinued once supplies run out.

Limited Edition Tanabata Goshuin

Special Tanabata goshuin are available from July 1st to July 7th. These are offered in limited quantities and will be unavailable once the stock is exhausted.

Washi Candle Night 2026

Organized by the "I Love Japan Project," the "Washi Candle Night 2026" takes place on the grounds of Zojoji from 18:00 to 21:00 on July 6th (Mon) and July 7th (Tue). The highlight of this installation is a representation of the Milky Way, created using washi paper candles displayed across the stairs of the Main Hall. This specific event will proceed in light rain but will be cancelled in the event of stormy weather.

For the most current event details, please consult the official website.

Basic Information

Location / Nearest Stations
Zojoji
Accessible via Shibakoen Station, Onarimon Station, or Daimon (Tokyo) Station.

Address
〒105-0011
4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
MAP

Period
2026/06/13 (Sat) ～ 2026/07/07 (Tue)
*Note: The specific period varies depending on the individual event activity.

Official Website
https://www.zojoji.or.jp/event/ev%5Ftanabata.html

*Published content may be subject to change; please verify the latest information via the official website of the venue or organizer.

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

What is the event?

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the Moon, touching down in the Lunar Module Eagle at the Sea of Tranquility. Michael Collins remained aboard the Command Module Columbia, maintaining orbit at approximately sixty nautical miles above the surface. The mission, designated Apollo 11, achieved the objective President John F. Kennedy established in 1961 to reach the Moon before the decade’s end.

The landing required unexpected manual navigation. Armstrong observed that the computer’s automated targeting system was directing the craft toward a hazardous boulder field. Assuming manual control while Aldrin called out altitude and velocity readings, Armstrong piloted the LM beyond the planned landing zone toward a clearer area. The spacecraft touched down with approximately 25 seconds of fuel remaining.

Six and a half hours after landing, Armstrong backed through the hatch and descended the nine-foot ladder. His boot depressed roughly one inch into the fine, powdery regolith. Aldrin joined him nineteen minutes later. During their 2 hours and 31 minutes of extravehicular activity, they deployed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, which included a laser ranging retroreflector and a seismometer for monitoring moonquakes and meteoroid impacts. They collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material using long-handled scoops, tongs, and صندوق containers, sealing each sample and documenting its location with a 70mm Hasselblad camera. An estimated 650 million viewers watched the transmissions, relayed through tracking stations at Goldstone, California; Honeysuckle Creek, Australia; and Madrid, Spain.

Odor Exhibition in Space Travelium TeNQ

The "Odor Exhibition in Space Travelium TeNQ" is set to arrive at the special exhibition area of Space Travelium TeNQ, a dedicated space experience facility located on the 6th floor of the Yellow Building in Tokyo Dome City. This event marks the first appearance of the traveling "Odor Exhibition" at this specific venue—an event that has already generated significant conversation across the country by challenging visitors to experience a spectrum of scents ranging from the exquisitely beautiful to the profoundly repulsive.

While the touring exhibition is known for its eclectic olfactory variety, this iteration is unique due to its integration with the space-themed environment. To bridge the gap between Earth and the cosmos, the organizers have developed two original scents imagining the smells of "Aliens" and "Planets," allowing guests to engage with the concept of deep space through a sensory medium rarely utilized in scientific exhibits. Beyond these cosmic additions, visitors can explore a curated selection of scents, including the infamous "extreme stench" corner featuring Surströmming, widely regarded as the world’s smelliest food. To complement the experience, the venue plans to offer original Space Travelium TeNQ merchandise and a themed cafe menu throughout the event period.

Main Exhibition Contents

The exhibition is organized into three distinct areas, each designed to evoke different emotional and physical responses through scent.

Area 1: Standard scents of the "Odor Exhibition"
This section presents a diverse world of aromas, beginning with a chronological progression of flower scents spanning twelve months. The curation extends to the biological world with the smells of various insects and animals, and even delves into the historical realm with "scents related to great figures," such as Sakamoto Ryoma and Oda Nobunaga. Furthermore, a specialized corner reproduces the "life of an insignificant man," offering an exhibit where the odor serves as a primary tool to convey the atmosphere of a specific living space.

Area 2: 4 types of extreme stenches
For those seeking a more intense experience, this area features four of the most potent odors known to man, each housed within dedicated boxes to contain the scent. These include:

• Surströmming: The Swedish canned fish cited as the smelliest food globally.
• Stinky Tofu: A fragrance so pungent it has historically caused foul-odor commotions that resulted in the halting of trains.
• Foot odor: A familiar, yet extreme, example of human scent.
• Kusaya: A specialty product of the Izu Islands renowned for its unique and powerful aroma.

Area 3: Scents related to space
This area blends the permanent offerings of Space Travelium TeNQ with exclusive event additions. Visitors can experience the "Scent of the Moon’s Surface" and the "Scent of Space(R)" (a registered trademark of Promo Tool Co., Ltd.), alongside the two aforementioned exclusive scents imagining "Aliens" and "Planets."

Related Exhibition: Daily Necessities of Space Life

Adjacent to the main olfactory displays is an exhibition focused on the practicalities of maintaining hygiene and comfort in the void of space. This section features product exhibitions—rather than interactive trials—provided by Lion Corporation, IRiS Tokyo Co., Ltd., and Sansei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Notable exhibits include:

• Lion Corporation "relaXspace A": A skin-application stick designed to mitigate concerning odors or provide a pleasant fragrance. The specific scents proposed for astronauts were developed using an AI diagnosis algorithm that analyzed over 900 combinations to determine preferred fragrances.
• IRiS Tokyo Co., Ltd. / Sansei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. "Eye mask incorporating scented capsules": An eye mask engineered for the unique environment of space. This technology was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 24, 2025, for use by astronauts.

Interactive Corner

To engage visitors of all ages, the venue will host an interactive quiz. Participants are tasked with identifying a "mysterious odor" placed at the venue by searching for the matching scent among the various displays within the special exhibition area. This activity encourages guests to rely on their own olfactory perception while touring the exhibits.

For further details regarding the specific content of the quiz and exhibitions, visitors are encouraged to check the official website.

Basic Information

Location / Nearest Station
Space Travelium TeNQ

• Suidobashi Station (3 min walk)
• Korakuen Station (7 min walk)

Address
〒112-0004
6F Yellow Building, 1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
MAP

Venue
Special Exhibition Area within Space Travelium TeNQ

Period
2026/04/22 (Wed) ～ 2026/07/14 (Tue)

Fee / Cost
Included in the facility admission fee

Inquiry
Tokyo Dome City Waku-Waku Dial
03-5800-9999 (Reception hours: 10:00～17:00)

Official Website
https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/tenq/event/exhibition-stt-6.html

Note: Posted content may be subject to change. Please verify the latest information via the official website of the venue or organizer.

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

Space Travelium TeNQ opened in July 2014 on the upper floors of Tokyo Dome City’s Yellow Building. It is operated under the concept of “Museum × Entertainment,” which here means pairing educational content with interactive media and theatrical presentation rather than conventional glass-case display. The name TeNQ derives from the Japanese word for sky, ten, combined with “Question” and “Queue”—suggesting both the upward gaze and the sequence of inquiry that astronomy tends to generate.

The building is organized around Theater 23-5. The auditorium contains an 11-meter domed screen and 145 reclined seats, with programming that cycles through high-resolution satellite imagery, rover telemetry, and full-dome visualizations of stellar fields. Because the screen occupies the ceiling and the seats face upward, the theater is designed to remove the framing devices of ordinary cinema; the image simply occupies the viewer’s peripheral vision.

Beyond the theater, the museum maintains several exhibition zones. The Science Area, developed with JAXA, presents flight hardware, material samples, and structural components from actual satellite missions. The Imagination Area, in contrast, invites artists and designers to respond to space exploration through installation work, sound, and non-literal cartography. Across roughly 1,800 square meters on two floors, the institution has historically relied on visual and auditory means to convey its material.

The 2026 Odor Exhibition introduces scent as a further channel of information. Working with chemists, the museum developed olfactory profiles tied to specific environments: the sharp metallic and ozone residue of a spacecraft airlock, the sulfur compounds detected in Venusian atmospheric data, and the cold hydrocarbon haze associated with Titan. Each station presents the scent alongside its chemical context, treating smell as another measurable property of places most visitors will never enter directly.

Black Tea Afternoon Tea Returns to Kichijoji Excel Hotel Tokyu with a New Menu

The Kichijoji Excel Hotel Tokyu welcomes back its popular annual afternoon tea event, this year centering entirely on the nuanced flavors of black tea, presented through a completely refreshed menu. For enthusiasts of themed afternoon teas or those seeking a refined culinary experience in Kichijoji, this event offers a unique exploration of black tea incorporated into both sweet and savory preparations.

A Refreshed Menu Focused on Black Tea

Building on its annual popularity, the hotel introduces a novel selection designed to highlight different facets of black tea. A standout item is the "Earl Grey and Apple Verrine," a visually appealing dessert constructed in layers to offer evolving flavors with each spoonful; it combines a refreshing apple jelly base, a smooth milk mousse middle, and a fragrant Earl Grey jelly topping.

Beyond the verrine, the pastry chef has curated additional sweets that complement the theme. Guests can expect items such as a rich "Chocolate Terrine," offering a deep cocoa flavor, and a "Black Tea Madeleine," noted for its subtle fragrance derived from the tea infusion.

The savory offerings have also been thoughtfully designed to align with the black tea concept. Included is a "Ceylon Tea Flavored Chicken Salad," which features a dressing infused with Ceylon tea, lending an aromatic quality to the dish. Another notable savory item is the "Smoked Duck and Orange with Earl Grey Jelly," pairing moist, tender smoked duck with the distinctive citrus and bergamot notes of Earl Grey, presented in jelly form. This iteration distinguishes itself from previous years by presenting an entirely new menu, ensuring a fresh experience even for returning visitors.

Event Details

Here is the essential information for planning your visit:

• Location / Nearest Station:
  • Kichijoji Excel Hotel Tokyu
  • Kichijoji Station (approximately an 8-minute walk)
• Address:
  • 〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino City, Kichijoji Honcho 2-4-14
  • View Map
• Venue:
  • Lounge & Dining SORAE, located within the Kichijoji Excel Hotel Tokyu
• Event Period:
  • March 1, 2025 (Saturday) – June 1, 2025 (Sunday)
• Time:
  • A 2-hour seating limit applies.
  • Last order for drinks is taken 1 hour and 30 minutes after seating.
• Price / Fee:
  • 6,000 yen per person (inclusive of tax and service charge)
• Official Website:
  • Visit the Lounge & Dining SORAE / Kichijoji Excel Hotel Tokyu website for more details.

Please note that published content is subject to change. It is advisable to check the official website of the venue or organizer for the most current information before visiting.

• Reserve your spot via OZmall
• 🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

What is Kichijoji?

Kichijoji is a neighborhood in the western part of Tokyo, Japan, known for its mix of urban life and natural surroundings. It attracts both locals and tourists with its variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Inokashira Park, a notable feature of the area, provides a peaceful retreat with opportunities for walking, picnicking, and viewing cherry blossoms. Kichijoji’s combination of lively streets and cultural sites makes it a worthwhile stop for visitors to Tokyo.