Have you ever thought about what goes on behind the scenes of the anime films and television series we all know and love? Would you like to learn the trade secrets and day-to-day job profiles of one of Japan’s most lucrative industries? Well here’s your chance to find out, as anime industry insider Kihara Hirokatsu joins us at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2017. In a revealing discussion session, Kihara will talk about his time working on some of the most iconic anime films of all time. Attendees will also have a chance to glimpse some incredibly rare pieces of animation history!

PROFILE
Kihara Hirokatsu formerly worked at the Studio Ghibli production desk, and was involved in Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Nowadays he writes ghost stories and MCs at monster conventions. His most famous work is Tales of Terror: Haunted Apartment, and has been a crucial contributor to many other hits in this genre.

We’re very excited to announce our first confirmed act for the 2017 HYPER JAPAN Festival! Chiptune Girl TORIENA composes and arranges all her own tunes using a Game Boy and desktop music (DTM) software. Her distinctive sound combines hard-core techno and dance with 8-bit electronic music, and she is renowned for her powerful live performances, which are perfect for those who want to jump around and make a noise with the crowd!

PROFILE
Born in 1993, TORIENA embarked on her musical career in 2012. In 2014, she released her first music video, Pluse Fighter, which became an online hit and was featured in a wide variety of media outlets including Yahoo News. In 2015, TORIENA began touring internationally, and has since performed in a number of countries around the world, including China, Italy and at Square Sounds Melbourne 2015 in Australia.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
HYPER Live at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2017
14th(Fri) July　17:15
16th(Sun) July 16:30

Chiptune Workshop with Shirobon
15th(Sat) July 13:15

Book Your Tickets Now!

Website: http://www.toriena.net

With less than a month to go now until the big day, Christmas shopping was on the minds of many visitors at day two of the 2016 HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market, with plenty of entertainment and refreshments on hand as well.

For a special and truly different gift idea, lots of people were browsing in the MIYABI Traditional Culture Space for a wide range of unique and original Japanese artworks and handicrafts. This collective consists of 34 artists and craftspeople, each of whom puts their skills to use making calligraphy, ceramics, paintings and other artworks. Any of these would make a great gift to treasure or a treat for yourself.

There’s also a great deal on offer for those after something a bit more kawaii, including a great range of Japanese fashion and accessories. With that in mind, many were flocking to the Dreamy Bows pop-up store, to check out the Autumn/Winter collection from Listen Flavor and many other J-Fashion styles. Also proving popular was the range of beautifully styled men’s and ladies’ wear from Aoi Clothing of Paris, including traditional kimono.

Food and drink also make great gifts, of course, and there was plenty on offer on that score. A bottle of premium sake makes a novel and interesting choice for giving at Christmas or New Year, while some beautiful wagashi confectionery from Minamoto Kitchoan is a classy alternative to the standard box of chocs.

The undoubted highlight of the day for many, however, was the first appearance of this year’s headliners, THE HOOPERS, billed as eight boys dressed as beautiful girls, whose androgynous charm and irresistible sound had the crowd going wild. If you’ve got a serious case of FOMO as a result of reading this, don’t worry; there’s still time to get yourself down to Tobacco Dock for tomorrow’s final session, where THE HOOPERS will be performing again.

This year’s HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market got off to a flying start today, with a whirlwind of Japanese food, culture and entertainment to keep visitors entertained.

One of the biggest draws was the first ever UK concert by the visual-kei virtuoso, HIZAKI. Having originally come to fame as the guitarist in the band Versailles, HIZAKI made a further bid for global domination by wowing fans seeing him perform in the UK for the first time. Don’t worry if you missed out today, however; HIZAKI’s second and third ever UK concerts will be taking place here at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market on Saturday and Sunday!

Also very firmly on the agenda of today’s market-goers was shopping, and lots of it. Many made a bee-line towards Tofu Cute’s stall, to get their hands on a variety of kawaii items including plushies and stationery. Also flying off the shelves were everyone’s favourite Japanese confectionary, including an array of Pocky, but also more hard-to-find items. As always, the Tofu Cute Lucky Bags have proven very popular, especially the exclusive Christmas Edition. If you didn’t get yours today, be sure to come on Saturday or Sunday.

After all that excitement, many people needed to refuel, and a popular location to do this was the Izanai Izakaya space. Here, visitors could relax with a beer or sake and a tempting array of savoury nibbles. By far the most prized beverages on offer today, however, were those being served up at day one of the Sake Cocktail Awards. Here, three leading mixologists from some of the UK’s hottest bars and eateries wowed guests with cocktails specially designed to showcase the flavours of various premium sakes. Three more bartenders will be competing on Saturday and three more on Sunday, so you’ve still got a chance to join in the fun!

Experience the hauntingly beautiful sound of one of the most talented Japanese flautists around, as Mayu Sato-Brémaud makes a rare appearance in the UK at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016. Born and raised in Japan, but based in Paris since 2005, as well as mastering the flute Mayu is accomplished in a number of Japanese wind instruments, namely the shinobue, nohkan, ryuteki and shakuhachi. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a rare musical talent.

BIOGRAPHY

Mayu Sato-Brémaud began playing the flute at the age of ten, and studied at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo before enrolling at the historic Conservatoire de Paris. She has won numerous awards and accolades for her flute playing, and she performs with a number of prestigious orchestras. She also takes part in experimental projects alongside dancers and comedians.

Website (French and Japanese): http://mayusatobremaud.com/fr/

If you’ve not yet experienced the charms of Gudetama, you’re really missing out! He’s an animated egg yolk whose existential angst and insecurities resonate with many fans in Japan and elsewhere.  Fear not, however, because you can get up to speed with Gudetama, as well as other characters from the Sanrio universe such as Hello Kitty, at the Sanrio x ARTBOX Area at HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016!

One attraction will be the Gudetama-themed beach booth photo area, where you can pose on the deck chairs. It may be winter outside and the nights are drawing in, but here at HYPER JAPAN the spirit of summer lives on! What’s more, if you upload your photo from the beach booth to social media using the hashtag #sanrioartboxuk, you’ll receive a limited edition Gudetama face balloon absolutely free.

Another draw is the opportunity to get your hands on a range of limited edition Gudetama enamel pins. Just don’t get them too close to your free balloon! There are five amazingly eggy designs available to purchase, plus a special bonus one which you can’t buy but you can win for FREE by completing tasks to get five stamps on your Pin Collector’s Card! There are also Gudetama lanyards on offer on which you can display your pins.

If that weren’t enough, at the Sanrio pop-up shop you can browse an amazing selection of rare and unique goodies featuring your favourite characters including Gudetama, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars and PomPomPurin. Plus, get a limited edition Sanrio x ARTBOX notebook FREE with every spend over £30.00, featuring your choice of either Gudetama or Little Twin Stars!

ARTBOX website: https://www.artbox.co.uk/

Release your inner kawaii and experience the fun of immersing yourself in Japanese street style in our kawaii transformation area, Perfect Kawaii! Here, for a small fee, one of our skilled make-up artists will give you a professional street-style look in one of several different genres. If you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, you can try on an assortment of wigs (kindly provided by our friends at CutesyKink) and take a picture free of charge in the specially-designed photobooth area.

If that weren’t enough, our special guest, blogger and make-up expert Sophie from PeachMilkyTea, will be on hand to inspire you. All you’ll need to decide is which of the street-style genres you’d like to experience. To get you in the mood, here is our handy cut-out-and-keep guide to the main ones!

Lolita

Lolita is one of the most well known genres of Japanese street fashion. In the context of this look, ‘Lolita’ relates to the innocent, pure qualities of this style. Wearers don outfits inspired by Victorian or Rococo era fashion, complete with frills, exaggerated bows, lace, and other sweet accessories.  Hair is long and lush, and make-up is doll-like and fresh looking, sometimes enhanced with extra flourishes such as face stickers, diamantes or other adhesive gems.

Image Credit: Sandra Hadi and Tamara Gitter 

Sweet Lolita

A fairytale variant of the Classic Lolita look, Sweet Lolita look is very soft, feminine and innocent. Pinks and dark brown are usually the most popular colour choices for the eye makeup, and pink round blushes and soft lips create a more dolly look. Long but non-dramatic upper lashes are the perfect option for this look and the lips are usually plump and glossy.

Image Credit: Sandra Hadi and Tamara Gitter 

Kuro Lolita

Another twist on the Classic Lolita look, the word “kuro” means black in Japanese, which is the main distinguishing feature of this style. Followers wear the same styles as Classic Lolitas, but clothing and make-up are black in colour. It’s not to be confused with Gothic Lolita, which although often involves wearing black, also features distinct Gothic styles of outfit.

Fairy Kei

One of the classic distinguishing features of this look is the appearance of children’s characters from the 1980s and ‘90s such as My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. In practice, this means a preponderance of pastel shades such as light pink, baby blue, pale yellow and lavender, which can extend from apparel to make up to hair.

Gyaru Style

Gyaru style is the look of choice for young ladies who favour a cool, fun and hip style. It’s most commonly seen around Tokyo’s downtown Shibuya area, where clubs, bars, karaoke, and shopping can be enjoyed 24 hours a day. The look focuses on making the eyes big and bold as well adding flattering facial contouring. The look is not complete without lower lashes and heavy eyeliner that makes the eyes look more doe-eyed. The nose and cheekbones are highlighted to create a slimmer illusion as well as depth.

Image Credit: Sandra Hadi and Tamara Gitter 

Hime Gyaru

Hime means princess in Japanese, which is the guiding principle of this look. Compared with some of the other sub-genres of the Gyaru style, this is more natural and pure, with no deep tans and a simpler make up. Still present, however, is the emphasis on big eyes and fluttering eyelashes, as well as bouffant hair that is often extended.

The Dreamy Bows pop-up fashion shop will be returning to the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016, stocking everything you need to create your own unique, head-to-toe J-fashion look! Dreamy Bows is a UK-based shop specialising in a range of cute Japanese street fashion styles including fairy kei, larme kei, gyaru, hime kei, mahou kei, pop kei and casual kawaii.

Their aim is to offer J-fashion followers in Europe a wide selection of unique and hard-to-find Japanese fashion and beauty items, without the fees and shipping issues associated with buying straight from Japan. You can find clothing and accessories from Listen Flavor, KOKOkim by Harajuku icon Kimura-U, pastel goodness from Chocomint, EYEMAZING false lashes and girly princess clothing by Candy Rain. Dreamy Bows is also the UK’s exclusive retailer of Bandai Sailor Moon limited edition collectables.

This year, the brand new Autumn/Winter range from Listen Flavor will be on display, and three Listen Flavor outfits will be modelled during the Fashion Show. They also have lots of amazing new shoe designs which are perfect for many J-fashion styles. Be sure to pay the pop-up a visit, to get your head-to-toe J-fashion look sorted!

Website: http://www.dreamybows.com/

We are pleased to say that purveyors of all things cute and Japanese, Tofu Cute, will again be setting out their stall at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market, offering a  large range of fun and fascinating Japanese sweets, and a huge array of kawaii items!

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love Tofu Cute’s range of tempting treats from Japan. Many people have heard of Pocky sticks, but at the Christmas Market you’ll also be able to purchase the rarer and lesser-known Japanese snacks that are almost impossible to find in the UK.

Also look out for kawaii items such as Re-Ment miniatures featuring Rilakkuma, PomPomPurin, Sailor Moon and more, cute stationery such as pens, stickers, notepads and deco tapes, as well as bento making accessories that help you create the cutest lunch around! Tofu Cute will also be presenting kawaii Gachapon machines – the coin-operated capsule gift machines that are so popular and famous in Japan.

If the wide choice on offer is too bewildering, you may be interested in a Tofu Cute Lucky Bag of either sweets or cute toys. These are cute drawstring bags with a Maneki Neko (lucky cat) on the front, containing a random, delightful selection of treats inside.

You can choose from either a blue coloured Snacks bag containing an assortment of Japanese candy, biscuits, chocolate and sweets, or a pink coloured Amuse bag containing an adorably fluffy range of Amuse charms, keychains and plushies – expect Alpacasso, Korohamu Hamster, Tuchineko cats and more! Both types of lucky bag are available at three different price points, to suit every budget.

STOP PRESS: You’ll also be able to get your hands on a special Christmas Edition Lucky Bag, containing a mixture of Amuse and Snacks items, which is available ONLY at HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market and the Tofu Cute website!

Website: http://www.tofucute.com/

We are excited to announce that YouTuber and cosplayer Sophie from PeachMilkyTea will be hosting a makeup tutorial workshop where you, too can learn the tricks to getting your perfect kawaii look! Not only will Sophie teach you how to get your Japan-inspired look just right, you’ll also be able to meet her in our Perfect Kawaii Transformation Area!

Also an avid cosplayer, Sophie will also be joining us as a judge in Sunday’s COSTest, appearing in one of her amazing outfits!

About Sophie
Sophie, who hails from Northern Ireland, began her blog, PeachMilkyTea, shortly after falling in love with Japanese fashion and all things kawaii. She now has a substantial following on YouTube, and has gained popularity not just for her amazing makeup tutorials, but also for her stunning cosplay.

As a huge fan of anime and video games since she was a child, Sophie became interested in Japanese fashion, culture, and cosplay. In the beginning she found wearing cosplay nerve-wracking, even at conventions, but it is now a massive part of her life. Her YouTube videos showcase different costumes and tutorials on how to do makeup for different characters and even do photoshoots.

These days Sophie’s lifestyle revolves around super-cute girly fashion, and she mostly dresses in Himekaji (Casual Princess) and Kogal style outfits, though she doesn’t follow them strictly and is always keen to experiment and try
out new styles.

Details

• When: Saturday the 26^th 13:00
• Where: Hyper Creative Studio
• Free to participate
• No advance bookings
• Be at the Creative Studio 10 minutes before the starting time for the activity.
• 40 people per workshop

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PeachyMilkTea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qy0RLezH7E

Blog: https://peachmilkytea.wordpress.com/

Domobics

“Domobics” is a 5-minute exercise using simple moves from aerobics. It is a fun rhythmical workout with Domo. We are looking for you to post your Domobics dance video on NHK World’s website.

Fashion Makeover by Beckii

NHK World is hosting Fashion Makeover by Beckii. She will give you DIY tips for Kawaii fashion. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in Fashion Makeover by Beckii. Please visit NHK World stand for your seat. Limited seats available.

NHK World stand is located at Great Gallery B-01 in ground floor.

As well as developing their own superlative cuisine, the Japanese are famed for taking overseas food and drink and making them just that little bit more special. One of the most prominent examples of recent years comes courtesy of barista Kazuki Yamamoto, who became an online sensation when he posted images of his three-dimensional foam creations on lattes.

You may have already experienced latte art for yourself first hand, if you’ve received a pretty pattern drawn in coffee and foamed milk on top of your morning coffee, but 3D latte art really turns this phenomenon, which has been around since the 1980s, into an art form. Some of Yamamoto’s most celebrated designs include giraffes, cats and Snoopy.

With latte art in all its forms so popular in Japan, we wanted to give HYPER JAPAN attendees a more easily acheivable taste of this trend! Come decorate your own latte with one of 12 holiday stencils, or even our special HYPER JAPAN holiday designs!

Details

• When: Saturday the 26^th 16:00
• Where: Hyper Creative Studio
• Free to participate
• No advance bookings
• Be at the Creative Studio 10 minutes before the starting time for the activity.
• 40 people per workshop

One of the many shopping opportunities at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market is the chance to pick up some seriously stylish and authentic Japanese apparel courtesy of Paris-based clothier Aoi Clothing. They will be showcasing a range of clothing for both men and women, ranging from the traditional to the modern.

There are few things more quintessentially Japanese than the kimono, with its beautiful fabrics and refined elegance. You can make a style statement with a distinctive yet distinguished piece from the Aoi range, inspired by traditional Japanese clothing styles. A kimono can be set off by an obi-style wide belt, or a luxurious scarf.

If you don’t quite feel like going fully Japanese, Aoi also offers a wide range of tops, dresses, skirts and trousers, all of which have a distinctly Japanese feel to them, combined with a generous dose of French chic. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your 2017 wardrobe a unique injection of style.

Aoi Clothing website: http://www.aoiclothing.com/gb/

If you’re looking for somewhere to take a breather and sample some top-notch Japanese food and drink at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market, look no further than our Izakaya Area. As well as being able to refuel and relax, you’ll also be experiencing one of the hottest foodie trends of the year. As one commentator put it, 2016 is the breakout year for izakaya. That’s in the UK of course. In Japan, they’ve been around since the fifteenth century.

But first things first – what exactly are they? They’re often described as gastropubs, but that doesn’t quite capture their essence. Unlike in Britain, where pubs traditionally did not serve much food besides packets of pork scratchings, the Japanese have never consumed alcohol without something savoury to eat alongside. The term izakaya literally means “sitting in a sake shop,” and they first appeared when purveyors of alcohol began to serve snacks to soak up the sauce.

In modern Japan, izakaya are not fine dining establishments like many gastropubs. They are informal drinking dens where people go to relax after work. Many are small and intimate, with a relaxed and carefree atmosphere. Rather like tapas, people order a selection of small dishes to share as they knock back beer, sake, shochu and other drinks.

The quintessential izakaya dishes are those cooked on a charcoal grill, such as kushiyaki (meat and vegetables on skewers) yakitori (grilled chicken) and tebasaki (chicken wings). Many other dishes can be enjoyed, however, including sashimi, noodle dishes and even salads. The evening is often rounded off with rice dishes such as ochazuke (rice in tea) or onigiri (grilled rice balls), as rice is traditionally not served alongside alcohol.

It’s all well and good describing the essential elements of an izakaya, but there’s no substitute to experiencing them for yourself. For a truly authentic flavour of this highly enjoyable Japanese cultural phenomenon, head to the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market Izakaya Area

HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016 offers a chance to enjoy a masterclass in Japanese cooking from one of the UK’s hottest chefs as Alex Craciun, Executive Head Chef of London’s Sosharu restaurant, demonstrates how to make one of his signature dishes, a sukiyaki hot pot.

Sosharu is one of London’s hottest openings of 2016, named London restaurant of the year at the AA awards and the latest in a string of successes for restaurateur Jason Atherton. Inspired by the Japanese izakaya, where small dishes and snacks are served as an accompaniment to alcoholic beverages, the venue celebrates the best of seasonal British ingredients in its unique take on classic Japanese dishes.

Central to the success of Sosharu is head chef Alex Craciun, whose background and experience make him uniquely qualified to serve up Japanese delights with an international twist. He in fact began his career as an electromechanical engineer, which perhaps accounts for the amazing precision of his dishes. He then worked in a number of high-profile venues, including Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café and Noma in Copenhagen, before spending a year studying at the Kyoto Culinary School. He then worked at Tokyo’s Kikunoi and RyuGin restaurants before returning to head up the kitchen at Sosharu.

One of the most celebrated dishes at Sosharu is Alex’s take on the traditional sukiyaki hotpot, where thin slices of beef are cooked in a toothsome stock along with vegetables. His version includes meltingly tender wagyu beef as well as young leeks and glass noodles. While at the restaurant the dish is cooked at the table for added theatricality, it can be successfully made on the hob at home, and is a perfect dish for sharing with friends during the winter months.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to learn a fun new Japanese dish from a true culinary master!

Sosharu website: http://sosharulondon.com/

The HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market is a great place to shop for unusual, offbeat items for yourself or as festive gifts, and if that’s what you’re after then be sure to head to the JP Books stall when you visit. As well as offering Europe’s largest range of Japanese books and cultural materials via their central London store and online, JP Books often introduces the UK to novel and interesting Japanese goodies that just aren’t available elsewhere.

Put it in Your Pochi

For a gift that embodies the modern, quirky and light-hearted side of Japan, the range of brightly-coloured silicone purses and other products from p+g design make the perfect gifts. As well as the iconic POCHI purse pictured here, which even comes in the guise of a Shiba-Inu dog, you can choose from pencil cases, business card holders (including one shaped like a games console controller!) mobile phone covers and much more.

Flip Out

Also available from JP Books is a range of PARA-PARA flip books from the publisher Seigensha that have become a media sensation in Japan, with over 900,000 sold and 1.5 million views on YouTube. You may have created your own flip pictures on your school exercise book, but these works of genius are in a different league entirely. The beautifully drawn pictures generate a mesmerizing moving story that you’ll want to enjoy time and time again when you flick the pages. In a world where technology is all-pervading, the “low-tech” charm of these simple but highly effective artworks is even more out of the ordinary.

For these and other Japanese curiosities, pay a visit to the JP Books stand at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas market!

JP Books website: http://shop.jpbooks.co.uk/en/

p+g design website: http://www.pgdesign.com/

PARA-PARA website: http://www.seigensha.com/sp/flipbook/en/

The British pride themselves on enjoying a nice cuppa, but if anything, the Japanese take their tea drinking even more seriously. Green tea has become more popular in the UK and elsewhere in recent years, but in truth there is a wide range of deliciously different Japanese teas waiting to be explored. A great place to begin your Japanese tea voyage of discovery is the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market, where Ippuku Tea will be offering a selection of quality teas.

Go Green

Even amongst green teas, there is a variety to choose from. The most popular variant is known as Sencha, and as well as tasting great it offers a range of essential vitamins. The finest green tea, made using only the youngest, sweetest leaves, is known as Gyokuro. At the other end of the spectrum, tea made from older leaves is known as Bancha, and is prized in itself for its mild flavour and antioxidant properties.

The powdered green tea known as Matcha is used in the traditional tea ceremony, and has been growing in popularity as an ingredient as well as a beverage. It’s even been used by contestants in the Great British Bake Off! The thick, sweet drink it makes really is something else, and well worth seeking out.

A Different Blend

Looking beyond green to other colours, we find the roasted tea known as Hojicha. The lower caffeine content compared with other teas make this perfect for enjoying towards the end of the day. Add some roasted brown rice to your green tea, and you get Genmaicha.  Again, this is low in caffeine and bitterness, and has a wonderfully nutty flavour.  Finally, barley tea or Mugicha can be enjoyed hot, but it excels as a refreshing cold drink in warm weather.

For a top-quality selection of all of these teas, be sure to hot foot it to the Ippuku Tea stand at HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market!

Ippuku Tea website: http://www.ippukutea.co.uk/

HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market offers a rare chance to browse and purchase a wide array of bespoke Japanese handicrafts and works of art in the MIYABI Traditional Culture Space. Once again we’ve teamed up with a Japanese artist collective to bring you over 200 different kinds of artwork produced by more than 30 different artists from around Japan.

What makes the MIYABI Traditional Cultural Space so special is that you can buy genuine hand-crafted goods directly from the artists who make them. There is also a stage area where several of the artists will be demonstrating how they go about making their creations. It really is an unparalleled opportunity in the UK to get your hands on a wide range of Japanese crafts.

The range of products and techniques on offer reflects the wide array of traditional crafts that have been practiced in Japan for thousands of years. These include calligraphy, ceramics, figurines and Japanese paintings, as well as textile art made from vintage kimono cloth and traditional paper craft. Each piece is meticulously hand-crafted in accordance with age-old techniques, and would make a treasured memento for yourself or a strikingly different Christmas gift.

MIYABI Traditional Culture Space
An artist collective consisting of 34 artists, the MIYABI Traditional Culture Space seeks to showcase the Japanese sense of beauty prevalent in handicrafts. The artists focus on traditional techniques, while at the same time presenting these in a more modern light. The members of the collective, hailing from across Japan, have travelled extensively around Japan and further afield to introduce as many people as possible to Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.

For more information, visit www.japanpromotion.org/en

If you’re disappointed by the level of service you receive in cafés these days, you should treat yourself to a visit to the Maids of England Maid Café at HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016. Here you’ll experience a level of pampering and attention that really has to be experienced to be believed, and which will leave you in no doubt as to why maid cafés are such a popular phenomenon in Japan and elsewhere.

Royal Treatment

For the uninitiated, maid cafés offer clientele the opportunity to be treated like royalty in an experience that is part hospitality, part performance. Maids – or the male equivalent, butlers – don’t only serve delicious food and drink to their customers, but also interact with and entertain them in character. As well as being immaculately turned out and charming, they are also very talented, providing unforgettable live performances along with the tea and cakes.

Cheki It Out

Maids of England are the longest-running and best-known maid café in the UK, established in 2011. They have an international flavour, which they characterise as a fusion of 60% Japanese and 40% British. They are acclaimed far and wide, and offer everything you might expect from a maid café, including playing games such as mini-Jenga and Connect 4 and taking and decorating personalized photos known as cheki.

An Unmissable Offer

At the HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016, Maids of England will be offering a selection of treats including hot specialty teas, ramune and other soft drinks, as well as Japanese confectionary such as mocha rice cakes and dorayaki red-bean pancakes. There will also be a special “Moe Moe-Kyun!” set available, including a drink, something to eat, a game and a cheki with one of the maids or butlers. All in all, an experience not to be missed!

Maids of England website

This year’s HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market offers many opportunities to explore Japan’s rich musical heritage, but with an accessible modern twist. Several acts appearing on stage take traditional genres and styles from across the centuries and bring them right up to date.

Ancient Myths and Legends
Unique singer-songwriter Ekotumi is inspired by tales from Japan’s earliest history. Her ongoing project, “New Translation KOJIKI”, references Japan’s oldest existing written chronicle, the Kojiki or “record of ancient matters” which dates from the early eighth century. She takes inspiration from Japan’s ancient myths and folklore, and interprets them for a modern audience. Her soulful and carefully chosen lyrics are matched perfectly with traditional Japanese percussion instruments.

Folk Songs For The Masses

Moving further forward in history, up to the early twentieth century, Japan saw the growth in popularity of folk songs or min’yo. These were either sung without musical accompaniment or alongside traditional instruments such as the shamisen or koto. One half of our guest performer NeoBallad, the singer Sachi Wakasa, was Japan’s national folk singing champion as a child, and together with her collaborator Wataru Kamiryo they give a modern twist to Japanese folk music with rock and techno influences.

Enka For The Modern Age

A little closer to the present day, the enka genre of sentimental ballads became phenomenally popular in the latter half of the twentieth century. Despite this relatively recent provenance, however, they hark back to a nostalgic view of the past, both musically and often lyrically as well. While enka were seen as unfashionable for a time, recent years have seen a new breed of younger artists bring the genre up to date, and we have two of the most exciting of these performing at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas market. J-POP sensation Misaki Iwasa has found unprecedented chart success with modern-day enka, while male trio Hayabusa channel the 1970s glory days of enka ballads in their high-energy performances.

A Woodwind Wonder

We’re also pleased to welcome talented flautist Mayu Sato-Brémaud. Born in Japan but trained and now resident in Paris, she is not only skilled in the flute but also a range of traditional Japanese woodwind instruments, namely the shinobue, nohkan, ryuteki and shakuhachi. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a rare musical talent.

With such an array of musical talent on offer, a visit to this year’s HYPER JAPAN Christmas market affords an opportunity to experience centuries of Japanese musical tradition in one day!

Take some traditional Japanese folk music, add in a dash of modern rock and techno influences, and what do you have? The refreshingly original sound of NeoBallad, that’s what! You can experience their unique musical cocktail for yourself at this year’s HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market in their first ever performance in the UK.

In keeping with the festive theme, NeoBallad have promised us some Christmas songs interpreted using Japanese instruments such as the shamisen and koto, alongside English renditions of Japanese folk songs. The duo would also like to provide some elementary dance lessons, so that the HYPER JAPAN audience can bop along with them.

BIOGRAPHY

NeoBallad was formed in 2012 by two musicians with contrasting musical backgrounds. Wataru Kamiryo was a drummer and music producer specialising in digital percussion instruments, while singer Sachi Wakasa had been the national folk singing champion as a child. They have since gained widespread acclaim by introducing their unique blend of traditional and modern styles to audiences across Japan and further afield.