Say hello or ‘konichiwa’ to Le Conversation Club!

Why not drop in, relax, and speak some Japanese this HYPER JAPAN Christmas 2017! Any level can join! You’ll be seated with a group of maximum 5 other people, and a professional language teacher!

We will soon be activating a link below so that you can reserve and secure your place in a conversation lesson. Classes cost between £3 – £5, and you can either reserve in advance or walk in on the day! The classes start every hour across all three days, and each class lasts for 45 minutes. If you have any questions about the class please contact info@leconversation.com

PROFILE

Le Conversation Club is based in King’s Cross, and we also have schools in Tottenham Court Road and Angel.  Our lessons are conversation-based but they are carefully structured to develop your fluency.  They take place in a regular classroom, but the atmosphere is very relaxed ?

Our curriculum has been designed to improve your fluency regardless of your level. In our lessons, there are no textbooks or handouts, only authentic material chosen for your particular needs and learning outcomes.

https://www.leconversation.com/

Learn about the intricate and fascinating world of Japanese flower arranging with a demonstration by the Ohara School of Ikebana, England Chapter at the HYPER JAPAN Christmas 2017. Whether you’re an experienced flower arranger or are keen to learn more, you’re sure to be educated and entertained. The Japanese treat flower arranging seriously, with a number of different styles and schools. The Ohara School was founded in 1895, when Japan was being influenced more and more by the outside world, and the West in particular.  In this session, you’ll get to see a number of arrangements being made, and learn about Japanese culture and the beauty of nature.

PROFILE
The England Chapter of the Ohara School was set up more than 25 years ago in the UK. It meets regularly in the centre of London for workshops and study days. Professors and highly qualified teachers from the headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and from Europe are periodically invited to give demonstrations and seminars to members. Members also participate in flower shows, exhibitions and Ikebana International meetings.

Website: http://www.oharaenglandchapter.co.uk/

• Saturday 25th – 12:15
• Sunday 26th – 14:00
• Cost: £5 per person
• All Ages
• Note: This activity involves paint so wear clothes you are willing to get dirty in the event of an accident.
• No advance bookings
• You should be at the HYPER Creative Studio 10 minutes before the starting time for the activity.
• 40 people per workshop

Our HYPER Creative Studio returns to the HYPER JAPAN Christmas this November, and will feature an incredible experience in the form of a series of hands-on workshops! Each workshop will focus on a particular aspect of Japanese culture and present the topic in an easily digestible manner. As the driving concept behind the Creative Studio is a “hands-on approach,” each workshop will include some form of interactive activity, so visitors should be ready to roll up their sleeves and join in.

The year’s biggest celebration of all things Japanese got off to a flying start on July 14th, with thousands of visitors descending on Tobacco Dock. As always, the HYPER JAPAN Festival 2017 hosted artists of all genres and styles, a precious opportunity to see singers and bands you love and perhaps discover some new ones too!

On the second day of the festival, fueled by delicious food and drink, performances and the HYPER J-Style Fashion Show, HYPERJAPAN was buzzing. We had everything from special makeovers by Dreamy Bows and their VIP host, Haruka Kurebayashi to the acrobatic antics of martial artists on the J-Culture Stage.

Finally, we had our Cosplay Contest and everyone’s last chance to enjoy the stands, shows and say goodbye until now!

Ever wondered about those behind-the-scenes aspects to the event you missed? Let us enlighten you…

Ukiyo-e (“pictures of the floating world“) flourished in 17th and 18th century Japan, with print after print depicting beautiful courtesans, dashing kabuki actors and “joie de vivre” of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) life. Famous artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige were common household names and their prints a must-have for anybody with a bit of money to spare.

This November, HYPER JAPAN will be bringing this centuries-old tradition straight into the 21st Century with our Digital Ukiyo-e gallery.

See the prints come to life in full-colour glory, just the way the citizens of Edo once did!

Roxie Sweetheart takes inspiration from diverse sources – from Tokyo’s vibrant fashion scene to vintage illustrations; a stunning selection of unique pieces that combine the sweet with the street, and incorporate gorgeous, colourful and edgy hand-drawn designs. A long-time HYPER JAPAN exhibitor, Roxie Sweetheart will be offering up a great variety of items this November with a booth in our fashion area! Her adorable lineup boasts unique printed kawaii clothing, statement pieces, jewellery, hair accessories, bags, and more.

Roxie says: The vibrance, whimsicality and sheer (sometimes twisted-) cuteness of Japanese art, design and fashion has always inspired me. Japanese design is unafraid to explore colour, texture and innovative ideas. My first memories of Japanese design are from Sanrio’s Little Twin Stars. Today, my design work continues to be heavily influenced by Tokyo street style, manga comics and artists such as Walt Disney, Junko Mizuno and Fafi.

I love to combine hand-drawn illustrations with computer-aided design into wearable pieces. Creative expression is my passion!

Website: http://www.roxiesweetheart.co.uk

Nothing quite satisfies and fills you up like Tako-yaki! These balls of dough with octopus pieces inside are an extremely popular street food in Japan, and once you try them, you’ll understand why!

This Christmas 2017 we have Juzu, an authentic tako-yaki maker, coming to HYPER JAPAN! With the perfect balance of tako-yaki sauce, Japanese mayo and toppings you’re certain to fall in love with this food. If you’ve never had it before, you’re in for a treat! If you have, Juzu will help you fall in love again!

But you won’t just enjoy the taste! Watch how JUZU makes perfect balls right in front of you with just to small picks! It’s food with a side of entertainment! Don’t miss out!

PROFILE

Juzu sells their takoyaki at Spitalfields on Wednesday and at Brunswick Centre on Saturday. They are proud to make authentic Japanese tako-yaki, having even been featured on Time Out! In their own words the ‘team are hungry to see our precious customers smile’ as they eat our delicious tako-yaki!

WEB: http://www.juzu.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juzulondon

There’s nothing like a warm sweets on a cold day!

Wheelcake Island makes Imagawayaki. Warm Japanese pastries with a filling such as custard or anko bean (sweet black bean paste). It’s like taiyaki (if you’ve tried that) but these are bigger! A bite reveals the sweet combination of the filling and pancake shell.

It’s a confection that is difficult to come by in England, and even harder to find as mouth-wateringly good as Wheelcake Island can make them!

It’s worth getting in line first for these treats!

PROFILE

Wheelcake Island have been trading for a year. Currently at Brick Lane Backyard Market, KERB and opening new stall soon at Camden Market and Maltby Street Market! Providing a product in high demand in street markets across London.

WEB: www.instagram.com/wheelcakeisland

It almost goes without saying that the hugely popular Food Court will be returning to HYPER JAPAN Christmas 2017, but it’s worth reiterating just what an amazing array of mouth-watering treats will be on offer! As usual, we’ll be bringing together some of the most delicious Japanese delicacies around.

We know you’re all dying to plan the food aspect of your HYPER JAPAN experience, and we’re here to help you out! Stay tuned to find out who will be joining us this November!

Check out the pages of this year’s exhibitors to find out more about what they’ll be offering!

Kick up your HYPER JAPAN Christmas 2017 visit a notch with our RAMEN EXPERIENCE, an all-new foodie extravaganza bought to you in partnership with Harro Foods!

Try 4 different soup, and find your favourite taste! You can have a full bowl of your favourite ramen!

SOUP: Miso, Shoyu, Shio and Tonkotsu

STEPS: 

1. Get the samples of 4 different soup bases.

2. It’ll be tough, but you must choose your favourite!

3.  Watch a bowl of ramen prepared right in front of you, complete with your chosen soup.

4. Enjoy that personalised bowl of ramen – you’ve earned it.

This Ramen Experience will help beat the winter chill, whilst also giving you the opportunity to learn more about ramen making, and the sheer variety to be discovered. Why not go for a real Japanese experience and see who can slurp their ramen loudest and fastest! It’s quite a skill!

• Tickets for the Ramen Experience 2017 are now on sale for £5.
• Tickets are only available to those who love ramen
• An entry ticket to HYPER JAPAN Christmas must be purchased separately
• Tickets are available through advance bookings only.
• There are no vegetarian, vegan, or halal options.
• If you have booked your entry tickets before 21/09/2017 and wish to add the Ramen Experience tickets, please check your email and find out how to upgrade

Book Your Ramen Now!

Cooking Partner: Ramen Sasuke

A chef from “Ramen Sasuke” will be joining our Ramen Experience team to serve up your chosen ramen with professional skills! Ramen Sasuke is opening a new branch in County Hall in mid-November (Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB. Nearest station: Waterloo or Westminster). Ramen Sasuke is named after a great ninja Sasuke, and with truly authentic ramen menu, the team at Sasuke is sure to impress and amaze Londoners with their mouth-watering ramen!

Website: https://www.facebook.com/sasukeramen/

Ramen Blog by Japanese Ramen Blogger

For some of you who might not know how amazing this noodle really is, we’ve invited one of top ramen bloggers, Morimi, to break it down for you! She loves ramen, so much that she actually wants to become a bowl of ramen! You’re in great hands to lead you all to a better understanding of the delicious world of ramen.

Ever since MIO entered the sake scene a few years back, it has remained a favourite of sake lovers. Indeed, MIO is a common sight at HYPER JAPAN and always in high demand. To meet this demand, HYPER JAPAN and the Shirakabe Gura brewery have teamed up to present you with the MIO Lounge. A place in which we supply the sofas, and you simply can’t afford to miss the opportunity to pause and enjoy a bottle of MIO. Maybe even buy one as a gift for a friend.

If you’re worried about missing it, follow the large blue banners and look in the showguide for the event. It’ll be there on the map!