The Saturday afternoon session at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 was where the ever-popular COSParade took place! We’ve put together a photo gallery of some of the outfits from the spectacle-spectacular!
The Hosts: Sebastian Michaelis & Grell Sutcliff (Kuroshitsuji)
The Saturday morning session at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 saw the HYPER Live! Stage host the HYPER J-Style Collection Fashion Show with Victorian Maiden! We’ve put together a photo gallery of all our entrants below from the show!
Izzi
Izzi is a 17 year old student wearing a yami-kawaii coordinate. The style gives her a chance to express deeper feelings visually, and remind herself and others that it’s okay to not be okay. Her top is from UK brand Marmalade and Peanuts, shorts from Taobao, socks from Ota-Q and shoes from YRU. Izzi’s style revolves around pastel colours and androgynous silhouettes. You can find her on instagram at @vomit_boi”
Tomo
Tomo is a young Japan enthusiast from Poland who is active on many artistic fields from dancing on YouTube, to modeling and designing clothes. Today she is presenting a stylization based on recently popular yami-kawaii fashion. The base is a simple school uniform from Body Line, matched with accessories representing her crazy true self which she is hiding from others. You can see lots of accessories from Rokupa Doki Doki relating to her will to have fun and be happy, as well as some Menhera-chan stuff showing her inside despair.
Ichigo Bunny
Ichigo Bunny is a blogger with a particular love for Japanese fashion who would describe her style as alternative kawaii. She is wearing collectif shorts and a top and trainers from the Japanese brand WC. Ichigo Bunny likes matching pastel clothes with darker items for a cute look that stays true to her alternative fashion roots.
Neko Mei
Neko Mei came all the way from Belgium to present a pastel inspired outfit with some dark elements in today’s fashion show. The main piece is her Listen Flavour dress, which is her favourite clothing brand. The headpiece is partially handmade.
Aisha Anime
Aisha Anime is wearing a mix of Gothic fashion with elements of Visual Kei. She has focused on a main piece which is her jacket from Little Chilli and added accessories to detract from it. The result is a stylish outfit that can do all the talking at any event.
Miss Goldenlocks
Miss Goldenlocks has always been interested in J-fashion and hopes to explore more styles during her trip to Japan scheduled for next year. She is wearing a beige top with flower print and a cute pink strap skirt covered in unicorns and magical horses, ferris wheels and bows. The design interested her as it looks cute and bows are one of her favourite items.
Eira
Eira is a Japanese pop performer who wears Japanese fashion whenever she can, including when she’s dancing on stage or behind a camera. Today she’s wearing a Decora and Street Style inspired look featuring items from ACDC Rag, ASOS and the UK high street, and some of her own handmade accessories.
Leannan
Leannan is dressed in a romantic Kimono outfits from Metamorphose. Kimonos with floral and geometric pattern like these are called ‘Taisho Roman’. This ‘Taisho Roman’ print and big ribbon design on the sash showcase a very Japanese version of the Lolita style. Please enjoy this display of romantic Kimono with matching handmade Japanese masks and decorations.
Astrid
Astrid is wearing Sweet Lolita, a style which comprises of all things cute and pastel! One of her favourite elements of the outfit is the beret which is very popular in Sweet Lolita and sourced from from Dreamy Bows. Her bag is from another popular Sweet Lolita brand, Angelic Pretty, and matched with bunny earrings by Fruit Friends, found on Etsy.
Rosa
Rosa is wearing a Sweet Lolita outfit including the brands Chichi Clothing and Lolita Wardrobe. Her intricately decorated skirt brings sophistication to the look, while the lacy top and platform shoes keep it young and modern. This outfit is finished off with a pastel blue, vintage negligee. Rosa has been interested in Japanese fashion for 2 years now. She hopes one day to visit Japan to model and design clothing.
Louise
Louise is wearing Angelic Pretty’s ‘Day Dream Carnival‘ tiered jumperskirt with the matching tights and headbow. Added is a pink and white bodyline blouse, while the blonde ponytail wig is styled in buns and accessorised with star clips. Louise loves to wear Sweet Lolita because the pastel prints make her happy and the feminine design makes me feel empowered, just like a princess!
Lee
Lee has been into Lolita ever since stumbling across the style two years ago on Tumblr and has been hooked ever since. For today’s runway, he is wearing the Angelic Pretty ‘Fantasy Theater‘ jumpskirt matched with a ‘Violin Chocolat‘ bag by the same brand. His shoes are from Antaina, and the necklace was purchased from etsy shop PsihiArtia.
Zoe
Zoe is from China and has been wearing Lolita dresses for more than 3 years. Her outfit today was put together around the theme of Fairyland. The ‘Red Riding Hood‘ jumpskirt and cape set are from Japanese brand Baby, The Stars Shine Bright. Zoe is a big fan of this kind of idyllic country style with detailed laces and exquisite embroidery on ribbons, and this particular dress is her absolute favourite.
May
May is wearing Lolita fashion styled with a classic wintery feel in warm wine red jewel tones and ivory. The dress is called ‘Classic Fairy Tales‘ and is from Angelic Pretty, May’s favourite lolita brand to wear. The parts of the outfit that appeal to her are the cute animal motifs on the border of the dress, matching the fairy tale look that her coordinate portrays.
Yumi Rose
Yumi Rose is a classical Lolita fashion and historical costumes enthusiast who loves the colour pink. Her outfit today is a fusion of the classical lolita style with a historical touch, resulting in a late Victorian and Edwardian look. All items were sourced from various Lolita brands.
Alice Griever
For today’s runway, Alice has chosen a dress by Rolecosplay. The brand originally started off with costumes and wigs for cosplayers but recently also began to create different type of lolita dresses and medieval clothes. This particular dress is Alice’s favourite so far since it represents her personal style and is also comfortable to wear and move around in.
KawaiiCandi
Fashion Designer KawaiiCandii is wearing ‘Squirrel Party’ in black with matching hairbows. The accessories are co-ordinated from Dreamy Bows and Angelic Pretty as well as a Paul and Joe Sister limited edition kitty bag. She is wearing Buffalo limited-edition hologram platforms and a Gothic Lolita blouse from Punkrave.
Eden
Eden is a Northern Lolita and part of three communities; Leeds Lolitas, C.L.A.M and Sheffield Lolitas: the frills of steel. Lolita fashion has been a big part of her life ever since getting into it five years ago. Today, Eden is wearing a Lolita coordinate consisting of the dress ‘Magic Amulet‘ dress by Angelic Pretty, matched with accessories by the same brand and Killstar.
Cassandra Louise
Cassandra Louise is wearing ‘Merry Making in the Ghost Town’ by Alice and the Pirates. Her coordinate today consists of purples and blacks as the main colours, and also incorporates a slight starred theme. While she usually prefers Sweet Lolita, Gothic is a close second favourite.
As a warm-up exercise ahead of her 8 December concert at Olympia, Hatsune Miku had a busy weekend at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018!
She helped introduce the ispace Lunar Exploration Rover at the J-Culture Showcase!
She helped auction off a variety of Japanese craftware at the HYPER Auction
She even dropped by the booth where fans could buy tickets to her concert! Remember, her concert is on Saturday, 8 December but only a few tickets remain so buy yours now!
Can’t forget the adrenaline-charged excitement of the Japan v England live stream rugby match this past Saturday? Neither can we! We’ve got another good bit of news for you rugby fans out there! It’s the Japan v Russia Autumn International at Gloucester on 24 November!
We’ve even got a video message from the captains for you! Here’s the message from the Japanese captain!
And here’s a message from his Russian counterpart!
The match is on 24 November at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester!
Sailor Moon is a massively successful franchise and it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Entire generations of young children grew up in Japan and abroad watching the adventures of Usagi and her friends, and so there’s no doubting the power of this franchise.
In a somewhat unusual collaborative effort, the pharmaceutial giant LION has introduced a Sailor Moon themed Bufferin headache medicine. In case you’re wondering what a popular anime heroine has to do with headache medicine, LION has a Bufferin Luna, and since Luna is literally “moon” in Latin, not to mention the name of her cat…
The campaign is aimed primarily at women, as a recent survey by LION found that a significant number of female respondents had “trouble carrying out housework” or “trouble concentrating at work” from having to deal with pain. Sailor Moon remains popular among Japanese women of working age, and helps promote the image of a strong, independent female character.
For all thinks cute and stylish at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018, we have “HARAJUKU” The Fashion & Kawaii Zone!
Come visit Ai My Maid‘s Maid Cafe where their friendly staff are all waiting to welcome you back!
Table exhibitors with tons of kawaii goods, from handmade accessories to clothing to prints to jewellery to… you get our drift!Come dressed in whatever outfits you feel shows off who you are!
The Games & Anime zone at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 will have a lot of game, and a heck of a lot of anime! Welcome to “AKIHABARA”, the home of Game and Anime!Go full throttle nostalgic and pick up a Game Boy! Viva 8-bit gaming!
Loads of table exhibitors with everything anime and tons of game merch!
The Cosplay photo area where you can strut your stuff and meet allies and rivals!
Makoto Shinkai became a household name with his smash hit anime “Your Name” but he too was once a young, aspiring animator. HYPER JAPAN has partnered with the CG Anime Contest and so we are proud to present Makoto Shinkai’s First Ever Animation “She & Her Cat”! Watch this rare anime and more at the CG Anime screenings at the HYPER Theatre!
We have another mascot announcement! This mascot is known worldwide as “GLOOMY The Naughty Grizzly” We’re happy to announce…YES! GLOOMY is coming to HYPER JAPAN in a world FIRST!
GLOOMY -The Naughty Grizzly- is a story of GLOOMY and his owner PITTY. Cuddly and warm, yet ferocious – this pet first appeared in 2000 and has enjoyed a popular wave of merchandising ever since. HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 will mark the start of a serious push to bring GLOOMY to international markets.
Check out the other mascot merchandise that will be at the Bumbleman booth.
If you know anything about HYPER JAPAN, then you’ll know the “Harajuku” Kawaii Zone is where you’ll find a giant stall full of cute plushies, fun snacks, goodie bags, stylish fashion accessories… Yep, we’re talking about Tofu Cute, ARTBOX, and Dreamy Bows, and they’re back! Look for the two giant islands with pink and green carpeting and you’ll find them! Plushies, snacks, goodie bags, pins, stickers, yep yep yep! Famous brands like SANRIO, SAN-X, IWAKO, and more! Lolita, hime kei, fairy kei, or just casual kawai-ness, it’s all here!
We’re received news that the fresh “Namazake” of the “Ume No Yado” for the Sake Experience Winter 2018 was freshly pressed on 31 October! Its now on its way to HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018! Check out the video below!
Buy your tickets now to sample these “namazake” and much more at the Sake Experience Winter 2018!
They’re here! A wife searching for her husband and a young child searching for their father. Together, they are “TO-FU OYAKO”!! and these lovable mascots are MASSIVE over in Japan and around the world!
First exploding onto the world stage at the New York, Paris, and Tokyo in 2001 with the “CANON DIGITAL GALLERY” world tour, TO-FU OYAKO returned to Japan where it enjoyed immediate popularity. The cute mascot was soon merchandised by “MEDICOM TOY” and other brands, and today even enjoys a 20+ lineup of the ever-popular “TO-FU KUBRICK” toys. Having attained high levels of brand recognition and customer recognition in the Americas and Asia, TO-FU OYAKO will be coming to the UK for the first time ever!
Come and see them and other mascots at the Bumbleman Booth!
Japanese martial arts can broadly be divided into two groups: modern “Gendai budo(現代武道)” martial arts and ancient “kobudo (古武道)” martial arts. To help explain more about kobudo, we’ve asked Mr. Stephen Delaney to host a series of seminars at the HYPER Theatre! A professional martial arts practitioner of the highest degree, Stephen is a member of the “Sōsuishi-ryū Kumiuchi Koshi No Mawari” school. He has also demonstrated martial arts at the venerable Budokan in Tokyo and in addition to the seminars, be demonstrating at the J-Culture Showcase. Come and learn about the ancient martial arts of Japan at the HYPER Theatre!
Calligraphy is how a bit of ink and a piece of paper are transformed into a beautiful work of art. At HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018, calligraphy will not only be on the HYPER Live! Stage, it’ll also be in the MIYABI and J-Culture Showcase areas!
Sankei Amo on the HYPER Live! Stage
Check out how calligraphy forms shape to become art to the tune of traditional music on the HYPER Live! Stage! Calligraphy artist Sankei Amo dazzles both on stage and on the J-Culture Showcase! Click here for more info!
Takako Calligraphy at the J-Culture Activities
Take your first step into the world of calligraphy with easily digestible workshops. Make your own calligraphy bookmark too! Click here for more info!
Did you know that behind every good bowl of ramen is some seriously tasty broth? Well, the Ramen Experience is all about appreciating the wonderful world of Ramen and so, we’ve put together a quick intro to the different types of soup you’ll be sampling at the Ramen Experience!
Shoyu (Soy/醤油) Ramen Soup
Shoyu ramen is what people in Tokyo think of when you ask a Tokyoite to think of ramen. Though popular all over Japan, Shoyu is the go-to ramen in the Tokyo area – so much so that it’s safe to you say you’re not a real Tokyoite if you don’t have a good shoyu ramen shop! One thing to remember – when eating shoyu ramen, the “kaedama” (another serving of noodles placed in your leftover broth) option is replaced by the “oomori” (XL serving) option. Remember to enjoy the heavenly scents wafting up from the broth as shoyu soup is based on fermented soy!
Tonkotsu (豚骨) Ramen Soup
Tonkotsu ramen hails from the Southern region of Japan. The island of Kyushu to be precise. It’s often called “Hakata Ramen” (博多ラーメン） because it originated in the historic central Hakata area of modern-day Fukuoka city. If you really want to experience tonkotsu ramen like the Japanese do, then drop on by the “yatai” street stalls to have your bowl of tonkotsu ramen. There’s no experience like it! Oh, and remember to ask for “kaedama” as that’s a trusted bit of the tonkotsu ramen experience.
Paitan (白湯）Ramen Soup
Paitan ramen is a bit of an oddity in the world of ramen; it’s not found as readily as soy, miso, or tonkotsu ramen. This may be because it’s often confused with its thicker, creamier, pork-based cousin tonkotsu. Still, this chicken-based soup can hold its own, even reaching popular heights in the 1980s. Enjoy your ramen!
Be transported back to the Edo period, a time when beautiful ladies in kimonos and stern samurai walked the streets of Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
SHUNMU TOMOKAGAMI will be taking over the HYPER Live! Stage this November on the Friday, Saturday 2 and Sunday sessions in a dazzling display of dance, music and swordsmanship!
Look forward to a special appearance by producer Maika Kobayashi!
Check out the video below for a glimpse of what we’re so excited about!
Anime lovers, rejoice! We’ve negotiated the necessary terms to get the anime “Time Driver” screened at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018! From acclaimed anime director Junichi Yamamoto, Time Driver features plenty of action, giant robots, and time travel.
Originally created as part of the “ANIME TAMAGO 2018” project for the Japanese Ministry of Education, “Time Driver” was released in Spring 2018. Watch for the unique character design and story when you watch this screening on the Saturday 1 and Sunday sessions at the HYPER Theatre!
At HYPER JAPAN, we love artists. These hardworking artisans, with a few strokes of the brush or pen – create anything from your name written in original script, to whimsical caricatures of you and your friends.
So we’ve decided to support these diligent individuals and have created the all new “ARTIST ALLEY”!! This area will feature 10 tables with artists of various backgrounds and fields. Check them out below!
This blog post was originally posted on 22 August on InsideJapan’s blog by Guest Blogger Becky McGillveray. Becky has explored completely solo, travel guide in hand, and as part of small group tours as a solo traveller around the world. While setting off alone for a spot of navel-gazing will always be a romantic endeavour, small group tours can be easier, cheaper and more fun!
For my first trip alone outside of Europe I chose to do a group tour as a solo traveller. There were quite a few reasons for this and I’d bet that they are things you’ve thought about too;
1. There’s always someone there to answer your travel queries
– What does that sign say?
Any ideas?
– Where should I visit?
– Where can I get that food I read about in that thing?
– How will I know if I’m on the wrong bus?
– Where do I even get the bus?
– I’ll get the train instead…
– How will I know if I’m on the wrong train?
…you get the idea
Hint: a tour leader knows the answers to all of these questions, and more!
2. It’s easier to plan your time effectively
I found that one of the biggest benefits of going on group tours as a solo traveller was not having to worry about logistics. It really is the most stressful thing when you are visiting 5 or 6 different places in two weeks. Knowing how long it takes to get between them, where you can go in the time you have there, where should you go in the time you have there and where to stay etc.
I have been known to book a hotel online only to discover it’s actually in a completely different place with the same name. That was a bad day.
3. You get to meet new people
One of the other great things about a group tour is meeting people and sharing all of your ‘firsts’ with them. In Japan particularly, eating should be a communal activity. Okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) where you sit around a big table, Kobe beef that is cooked on a hot plate in front of you, Sushi conveyor belts for you to pick your plates, and karaoke should all be group activities.
Everyone gets together and shares stories; perhaps you’ll find the next destination on your bucket list because Joe Bloggs went there last year and you absolutely have to visit!
Afraid to try that sea urchin? Let someone else do it first and then you can decide based on their post-eating face…
4. You’re more open to cultural experiences
A lot of the experiences included on tours are hard to find elsewhere, and much better in a group. Taiko drumming wouldn’t sound nearly as majestic if you were on your own. Be part of the orchestra!
5. You save money!
How easy it is to make plans for your purse on a small group tour when your accommodation, tourist attractions, and many of your dinners are included. One of the greatest (and under-discussed) part of going on a group tour is that experiences are often cheaper when shared between a group – all aboard the limousine! (Joking, half-joking).
In short, group tours as a solo traveller are a fantastic way to experience a country, and shouldn’t be discounted even for the most experienced jet-setter. Sometimes all you want is for someone to do the hard work for you. Relax and enjoy your hard-earned holiday!
Scrumptious noodles, broth bursting with flavour, a generous amount of your favourite toppings…. aahhh, the hallmarks of a heavenly bowl of ramen! We are happy to announce the Ramen Experience will be once again be sating the culinary desires of foodies at HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018!
The Process
Sample three different types of ramen broth
Shoyu (Soy)
Tonkotsu (Pork)
Paitan (Chicken)
There are no vegetarian, vegan, or halal options
Vote for your favourite broth
Get a bespoke bowl of ramen
Enjoy!
“Peak” and “Off-Peak” Times
So we can accommodate as many people as possible over the three days of Ramen Experience, there will be “peak” and “off-peak” times:
Friday:
Off-Peak: 12PM to 7:30PM
Saturday 1st Session:
Off-Peak: 9AM to 11AM
Peak: 11AM to 2PM
Saturday 2nd Session:
Off-Peak: 3:30PM to 5:30PM
Peak: 5:30PM to 8:30PM
Sunday Session:
Off-Peak: 9AM to 11:30AM
Peak:11:30AM to 4:30PM
Tickets
Tickets for the Ramen Experience 2018 are:
£7.00 for off-peak times
£8.50 for peak times.
An entry ticket to HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 must be purchased separately
Tickets are available through advance bookings only.
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David Palmer is a freelance auctioneer known for his colourful waistcoats! How very HYPER JAPAN!
Come dressed in whatever outfits you feel shows off who you are!
Find the perfect accessory to match your outfits!
Drop by the workshop areas and practice your calligraphy, feltwork, or origami skills.
Go full throttle nostalgic and pick up a Game Boy! Viva 8-bit gaming!
DON PANKO KATSU HOUSE
KOME
In short, group tours as a solo traveller are a fantastic way to experience a country, and shouldn’t be discounted even for the most experienced jet-setter. Sometimes all you want is for someone to do the hard work for you. Relax and enjoy your hard-earned holiday!
