Twentythree

New cafe will offer beautiful views of the city, Mt. Fuji, and cherry blossoms.

In Japanese, the word for expensive is takai. So when Starbucks Japan announced that they’ll soon be opening the most takai branch of the chain in all Japan, I thought it was kind of an odd thing to bragging about, though, given the fact that they also recently announced an expansion of their location-based pricing system, maybe not the biggest surprise.

In a happy twist for cafe fans, though, the company was actually using takai for the word’s other meaning, “high,” and is in fact getting ready to open Japan’s highest-in-the-sky Starbucks.

Fittingly, it’ll be found within Japan’s tallest building, the Tokyo Skytree. Though it’s not all the way up at the tip, the new Starbucks will be located 150 meters (492.1 feet) above the Tokyo streets, on the spire’s 30th floor. From there, you’ll be able to see not only across the city, but out to the Kanto Plain to the west, with Mt. Fuji rising from the horizon. The new Skytree Starbucks will also offer views of the nearby Sumida River, and with the cafe’s opening slated for March 10, it’ll be ready in time for when the cherry blossom trees along the waterway burst into bloom this spring.

Officially, the new branch is dubbed the Starbucks Reserve Cafe Tokyo Skytree Town Town 30F, with “Reserve Cafe” being the chain’s designation for branches that are a little fancier than a regular Starbucks, but not quite as upscale as their Reserve Roastery locations. The Skystree cafe will have an expanded menu of espresso-enhanced beverages, and to celebrate spring they’ll also be baking special sakura-filling cornetti, with the recommendation of dipping the Italian pastries into your coffee. There’ll be a total of 80 seats across three areas: a counter for customers pressed for time, a lounge zone for those who’re ready for an extended relaxation session, and a table section for those whose schedule is somewhere in between.

The Starbucks Reserve Cafe opens on March 10.

Location information
Starbucks Reserve Cafe Tokyo Skytree Town 30F / スターバックスリザーブカフェ東京スカイツリータウン30店
Address: Tokyo-to, Sumida-ku, Oshiage 1-1-2, Tokyo Solamachi 30th floor
東京都墨田区押上1-1-2 東京ソラマチ30階
Open 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Source, images: Starbucks Japan
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Donguri Kyowakoku lives up to its name with this Ghibli gear.

Generally speaking, businesses tend to chose straightforward names for themselves. When you see a sign that says Mr. Donut, you know exactly what that place is selling, and you likewise don’t need to be a master detective to figure out that if you walk into Tokyo’s “Coffin Meditation Space,” yep, they’ll have coffins inside for you to lie down and relax in.

A notable exception to this pattern, though, is Donguri Kyowakoku. The chain’s name translates as “Acorn Republic,” but they’re not a gardening center or very back-to-basics health food emporium. No, Donguri Kyowakoku is a specialty shop focused on the anime films of Studio Ghibli, with the “Donguri” part of their name meant to evoke a playful appreciation for nature, a common element in Ghibli’s works.

On rare occasions, though, the symbolic and literal meanings of Donguri Kyowakoku’s name overlap, like they’re doing today.

Donguri Kyowakoku calls these the My Neighbor Totoro Korokoro Acorn Holders, with korokoro being the Japanese onomatope for something rolling around. The name might sound like they’re meant for storing acorns inside of, but as we’ll see, there are already other occupants in there, and so these are really meant to be used as key holders/straps.

There are two designs, one designated as the Medium and Small Totoro version, with the blue and white Totoros…

…and the other the Totoro and Small Totoro version, featuring the big gray guy.

Those names don’t quite tell the whole story, though, because inside of each…

…is a Soot Sprite, which rolls around and turns the acorn into a gently ringing bell.

Though made of ABS and PVC plastics, the craftsmanship is very detailed, with smoothness and sheen that looks like it approaches what you’d get with a ceramic piece.

At about 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) in length, the holders are pretty much the same size as actual acorns, which adds to their realism and helps create a sense that Totoros actually have shown up in the real world.

From the promotional images, it’s not entirely clear if there’s any way to unhook or otherwise open up the cloth loop. If there isn’t you’ll need to run the cord itself through the opening of your key or bag strap and then tie it off, but that minor hassle seems like it’d be well worth it to have these adorable little anime critters keeping you company while you’re out and about.

Both Acorn Holders are priced at 990 yen (US$5.40) and are available through the Donguri Kyowakoku online store (here and here) following a recent restock.

Source: Donguri Kyowakoku
Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku
Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2)
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This tonkotsu ramen has medicinal benefits that can boost your energy after a long day of sightseeing.

Have you ever heard of yakuzen? Not to be confused with yakuza, yakuzen literally translates as “medicinal meal“, and is made up of the kanji 薬 (“yaku” or “medicine“) and 膳 (“zen”, which refers to a meal, traditionally served on on a tray).

The concept behind yakuzen is food as medicine, and you’ll see it being used to describe meals that contain ingredients designed to boost health. One type of meal that can be given the yakuzen treatment is ramen, and a good place to try it is at Boku no, Yakuzenmen, in Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighbourhood.

▼ Boku no, Yakuzenmen translates as “My Yakuzen Noodles“

Here, you’ll be able to try a bowl of yakuzen tonkotsu ramen for 1,000 yen (US$6.45), with some of the options being Red Spicy Tonkotsu and Miso Tonkotsu.

Tonkotsu as medicine might seem like a misnomer, but the ingredients have been carefully chosen for their health benefits, with the sign outside the store describing it as “A bowl of medicinal pork bone broth ramen to relieve everyday fatigue“.

The sign also shows the different elements in the ramen: roasted seaweed from a longstanding company founded in 1887; chashu pork, slow braised for hours for tenderness; seasoned quail eggs to restore the body’s needs; time-honored Korean ginseng, a fatigue-healing ingredient; seasoned spinach, rich in vitamins to replenish energy; chopped green onions to invigorate and warm the body; medium-thick wavy noodles that cling to the broth, delivering a sense of comfort; and pork bone broth that’s been slowly simmered and imbued with medicinal herbs to create a nourishing essence that restores balance in the body.

That does sound like a restorative blend of ingredients, but would it make for a delicious meal? Anything with the word “medicinal” makes us think of bitterness, something we certainly wouldn’t want to taste in a bowl of noodles, so we felt a slight sense of trepidation after ordering the recommended light-tasting “White” yakuzen tonkotsu ramen.

It only took a few minutes to arrive at our table, and when it did, we were immediately impressed by the generosity of ginseng. Korean ginseng is known for being expensive, and yet, we were given a whole root, cut in two, in our bowl.

Dipping our spoon in for a taste of the broth, it turned out to have a very refined flavour, and although there was certainly a hint of something medicinal in its herbiness, it didn’t taste bad, it just tasted light and dare we say it, healthy. 

The toppings of chashu, spinach and quail eggs didn’t seem out of place, in that you wouldn’t know they had any medicinal benefits unless you’d been told about them. They provided a nice contrast to the light broth and chewy noodles, which did have a comforting quality.

When it came to the ginseng though, this really packed a medicinal punch, with unabashed earthy and bitter notes.

Nothing could conceal the woody, medicinal flavour of the ginseng, but when you think about it, that’s what you want when you’re eating yakuzen. Ginseng is said to have a variety of health benefits as a nutritional tonic that’s said to help ease fatigue, promote blood circulation, improve immunity, reduce stress and beautify the skin. With all that on offer, you want to know you’re getting the real deal by tasting, and seeing the ginseng.

The signs in store don’t gloss over the taste of the ginseng, saying:

“Korean ginseng is an extremely valuable medicinal ingredient, but to be honest, it may not taste great. However, for your health and as a fun talking point, please give it a try. The soup is also infused with plenty of ginseng extract, so enjoy the double benefits.”

As they say, good medicine tastes bitter, and at this restaurant, a bowlful of noodles helps the medicine go down. So next time you’re feeling under the weather, especially if you’re visiting Japan and have no time to get sick, you might want to keep this place in your back pocket as a way to give your health the much-needed boost it needs. It may be the tonic that helps relieve exhaustion at the end of a long day of sightseeing too, which can come in handy when you don’t have the energy to stand in line at some of the more famous, and arguable less healthy, ramen spots in Tokyo.

Restaurant information
Boku no, Yakuzenmen / 僕の、薬膳麺
Address: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda Jinbocho 2-4-11
東京都千代田区神田神保町2-4-11
Open 11:00 a.m.-3:00p.m. (weekday lunch); 5:00-8:00 p.m. (weekday dinner); 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Saturdays and public holidays)
Closed Sundays
Website

Photos©SoraNews24
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Street food hot spot wants to be cleaner, but it might just be pushing the smoke down the street.

A new facility opened last Thursday in Dotombori, the Osaka canal district that’s the biggest tourism draw in the heart of central Japan’s largest city. It isn’t a new restaurant, shopping center, or manzai comedy venue, though. Instead, it’s a designated smoking area.

Last year, the Osaka Minami-Dotonbori Overtourism Countermeasures Promotion Council came to the conclusion that public service announcements played from speakers in the neighborhood had proven ineffective in sufficiently discouraging people from smoking while walking along Dotonbori’s streets and leaving cigarette butts behind on the ground. With Dotonbori boasting one of Japan’s most vibrant street food scenes, the members of the council are keen to keep the place clean, and so they partnered with telecommunications company NTT Docomo to establish Dotonbori’s first designated outdoor smoking area, with the hope that by setting aside an area as OK to smoke in, fewer people will smoke or litter outside of its boundaries. NTT provided remote security camera equipment so that the unstaffed facility can be monitored from afar.

▼ Osaka Municipal Environment Director Yoshitaka Ikeda, Osaka Minami-Dotonbori Overtourism Countermeasures Promotion Council Chairman Katsuya Kamiyama, and NTT representative Tomoyuki Okuda at the facility’s opening ceremony

It’s worth noting that while the loanword “overtourism” is often used these days in Japan to discuss negative effects of inbound international, and littered cigarette butts have been a frequent complaint in areas where they are occurring, the Osaka Minami-Dotonbori Overtourism Countermeasures Promotion Council hasn’t singled out foreign tourists in its announcement of the smoking area’s opening, referencing only the “30 million tourists, including inbound [foreign travelers]” that visit Dotonbori annually.

The smoking area is located on the south side of the Tazaemonbashi Bridge, one bridge east of the famous Ebisubashi Bridge that’s the major gathering point for sightseers in Dotonbori.

▼ Tazaemonbashi Bridge

However, establishing a smoking area isn’t necessarily a perfect solution to the issues the council is trying to address. As shown in the photos above, the smoking area is not enclosed, and it’s not even clear whether or not it has a roof. That means that smoke is going to drift out of it, especially if/when a dense concentration of smokers gathers. What’s more, while Tazaemonbashi isn’t used by as many people or have as many close-proximity shops and restaurants as Ebisubashi, it’s not like Tazaemonbashi is some secluded waterway crossing where introducing regular clouds of smoke isn’t going to bother anyone who doesn’t have a nicotine addiction of their own.

▼ Tazaemonbashi Bridge

Somewhat like the new ordinance requiring more trash cans in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood, the Dotonbori smoking area seems to be a lesser-of-two-evils attempt to solve a problem, so we’ll have to wait and see whether the concession ends up improving the situation overall.

Source, images: PR Times
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Japan’s tallest tower transforms into a cherry blossom-viewing spot, complete with pink projections and themed drinks.

As the cherry blossom-loving crowds prepare to descend upon Japan’s plethora of sakura-viewing spots this springtime, the blossoms are ascending to the sky in a special seasonal event called “The Sakura Skytree: Meeting the Cherry Blossoms in the Sky”. Held between February 26 and April 14, Japan’s tallest structure, Tokyo Skytree, is set to be adorned with pale pink petals and offer limited-time experiences, goods, and tasty seasonal food and beverages.

Located 350 meters (about 1,148 feet) above ground, the Tembo observation deck will play host to an assortment of cherry blossom displays inspired by traditional Japanese design that add a seasonal flair to the expansive views out over the city.

There is even a dedicated photo service allowing you to capture a unique memory of the experience with optional cherry blossoms composited into the sky background (1,500 yen [US$9.68] for one photo).

Or there’s a free photo spot where you can take a spring-themed photo with cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese shoji screens in the background on Floor 340.

The monument known as W1sh Ribbon allows visitors to write their most cherished wish and tie it onto a ribbon, and for the duration of the event period, all of the ribbons will be pink.

When the sun falls at Tokyo Sky Tree, there is often a nighttime-only projection of dynamic images on the windows of the tower, and for this event, it will show off the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms using its 24 projectors and immersive sound from 13 speakers.

▼ Past examples of the video screening

Though it may be disrupted by other same-day events or operations, the general schedule for the video screening is as listed below.

● February 26-29: 7, 7:45, and 8:30 p.m.
● March 1-8: 7, 7:50, and 8:35 p.m.
● March 9-31: 7, 7:15. 7:50, and 8:35 p.m.
● April 1-14: 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 9 p.m.

While the addition of the sakura is undeniably beautiful, the event is not just limited to a visual overhaul, with the on-site Skytree Cafe serving limited-edition cherry blossom-themed drinks and sweets. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks make an appearance, meaning there’s something for everyone, and all center around cherry blossoms and their colors.

Sakura Musubi (1,200 yen) is a cherry blossom-flavored rice wine, one sip of which delivers layers of sakura aroma. Served in a washi paper cup with latte art on top, it’s pleasing to both the eye and the palate.

The Sakura Shizuku (1,200 yen) is a sherbet-like cocktail made with sakura liqueur, which melts refreshingly in the mouth and leaves behind a subtle sweetness.

A spring soft drink with a cherry blossom fragrance, the Haru no Awa (980 yen) features pink layers for a spring-like appearance and is topped with fluffy milk. The floral decorations add a splash of color, and a taste offers a delightful light foam and gentle sweetness.

The Haru no Sakuramiruku (980 yen) is a spring-colored drink with strawberry milk and matcha milk, topped with whipped cream and the tri-colored dango rice flour dumplings that are often eaten when cherry blossom-viewing.

On the snack side of things, the cafe is putting forth a pair of vegan and gluten-free donuts with a gorgeous appearance: one in a mochi rice cake flavor, and the other in a vanilla flavor (600 yen each).

▼ Sakura Mochi

▼ Sakura Sky Vanilla

Even if you don’t fancy a trip all the way up the elevator, you can still appreciate parts of the event. On the fifth floor, at the Skytree Shop, a sakura symbol tree will be installed, and many sakura-themed souvenirs will be added to the store’s line-up, allowing you to take your cherry blossom experience home and share it with friends and family.

▼ The sakura symbol tree

▼ An assortment of cherry blossom-themed items are available.

▼ You can even pick up an event-limited medal keychain.

Or you could take an evening walk past the Skytree and admire it decked out in its springtime illumination outfit, making it look as if cherry blossom petals are being blown by the wind into the vast sky.

Whether it’s your first time enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms or you’re a sakura veteran, this elevated celebration delivers spring in full bloom, and is an easy addition to any Tokyo itinerary.

Related: Tokyo Skytree event page
Source, images: PR Times
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