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 News & Announcements |
 Special Article "Enjoy Valentine's Day in Tokyo" |
 Tokyo's Concept Cafe "ARTNIA" |
| Event Information |
| Updated Radiation-related Information in Tokyo |
| News & Announcements |
| Free Wi-Fi Service for Foreign Visitors Available at Over 100 Stations on Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro |
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| Website | http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/tips/connectivity/freewifi/index.html |
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| Seven-Eleven Started Tax-Free Service for Foreign Travelers |
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| Special Article |
| Join the Sweet Festa of Valentine's Day in Tokyo! |
| February 14 is Valentine's Day. While people around the world celebrate in various ways, giving flowers, gifts, and cards to their lover or close friends, Japan has a unique Valentine's Day's culture.
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| Valentine's Day's Culture in Japan |
There are several stories concerning the current Japanese custom's origin: one that is the most commonly believed is that a confectionery company in Tokyo proposed this idea and sold it to a department store in Tokyo. At first, the chocolates did not sell so much, but this activity gained popularity year by year and now has become a festive spree. Gifts women present to men are chocolate and chocolate-related items and are divided into several categories in terms of purposes: "Honmei choko" (choko means chocolate in Japanese) for someone special, "Giri choko" out of courtesy, and so on. According to the research "Valentine Survey 2013" by Internet research company Macromill, 83% of working women said they have a plan to buy a Valentine present. Among the responses, 60% women said they buy only chocolate as a gift and 21% of women said they buy chocolate and another gift.In addition, the amount spent for a Valentine gift averages 4,758 yen (about 40 dollars). After the custom of Valentine's Day became rooted in Japan, men began to give sweets and other gifts in return to the women who gave them chocolate, on March 14, which is called "White Day." This activity was innovated in and has developed in Japan. |
| Experience the Festivity of Valentine's Day in Tokyo! |
| Every year, during the period of about a month before February 14, towns and shops are full of a festive mood in Tokyo. Most department stores hold Valentine's Day-themed events and different kinds of chocolate goods are sold. There are also events and workshops where you can experience how to make chocolate by yourself and enjoy the "world of chocolate" still more. Many famous chocolatiers come to Japan for different chocolate events of this season every year. The range of prices and types of chocolate in Tokyo is wide, and if you like, you can buy chocolate for under 500 yen (about 4 dollars) and also buy gorgeous items for over 37,000 yen (about 315 dollars). Here are some special events and chocolate products available only in Tokyo!
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| Recommended Events in Tokyo in 2015 |
| Name | Valentine Fair 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue |
Ginza Mitsukoshi / Nihombashi Mitsukoshi department stores | ||
| Date | January 28-February 14 | ||
| Overview | Ginza's theme is Essense de l'amour, and Nihombashi's theme is Le Musee du chocolat. Many items only available during this event are sold. | ||
| Recommended items |
Chocolaterie de Monaco: Available only at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Department Store. A luxurious collaboration of Grace Kelly Princess's wedding chocolate and her favorite pottery brand. 25,000 yen (212 dollars), 6 pieces. Valentine's Bar Ganache Japon (Masumi): Ganache using "Masumi," renowned Nagano Prefecture sake. 1,080 yen (9 dollars). |
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| Special menu in SALVATORE CUOMO (left) and DELREY Cafe & Chocolatier (right) |
| Name | OMOTESANDO HILLS Valentine 2015 |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Omotesando Hills |
| Date | January 23(Fri)-February 14(Sat) |
| Overview | Limited items from popular chocolatiers are available. There is special heart-shaped pizza only for Valentine. |
| Chocolate Featured During Valentine's Day Season in Tokyo |
• Please keep in mind all prices below are tax-included. |
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Luxurious Brand Chocolate |
| Name | Diamond Box | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
Delrey (Ginza / Omotesando) | ||
| Overview |
Delrey is a well-established chocolate shop from Belgium and has two shops in Tokyo in addition to its main shop in Belgium. In the Valentine's Day season of 2015, the shops in Tokyo will sell four flavors limited to this period only in addition to the two regular flavors. 5,724 yen (49 dollars), 10 pieces. |
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| URL | http://www.delrey.co.jp/ (Japanese only) |
| Name | Cave à 96 chocolats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
JEAN=PAUL HÉVIN | ||
| Overview |
Assortment of jewelry-like chocolate bonbons produced by Jean-Paul Hévin, an artisan chocolatier awarded a Meilleur Ouvrier de France medal. 37,032 yen (315 dollars), 96 pieces. |
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Chocolate Special to Tokyo |
| Name | Tokyo Chocolate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
Isetan Shinjuku, Isetan Haneda Store | ||
| Overview |
This brand was created in 2009 under the concept of international city Tokyo that has a variety of charms. Tokyo's scenery is depicted on the packages. One item uses salt from islands in Tokyo. Shima-sio & Caramel Chocolate: 540yen, 11 pieces. |
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| URL | http://tokyo-chocolate.jp/ (Japanese only) |
| Chocolate Special to Japan |
| Name | Crayons Colorés | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
Sweets & Deli in Palace Hotel Tokyo (Marunouchi) | ||
| Overview |
Colored-pencil-like chocolate goods. Each shaft is decorated with traditional patterns of Origami and Kimono, and creates a Japanese feel. 3,024 yen (26 dollars), 5 pieces, limited to 300. Chiyo Chocolates in this store also offers a traditional atmosphere. |
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| URL | http://www.palacehoteltokyo.com/restaurant/sweets_deli.php (Japanese only) |
| Name | Fruits live | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
pourjours | ||
| Overview |
Chocolate bonbons with fruit taste and aroma, such as yuzu and pineapple. 1,852 yen (15 dollars), 5 pieces. |
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| URL | http://pourjours.jp/ (Japanese only) |
| Special Shop in Tokyo |
| Name | KIT KAT Chocolatory | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop |
SEIBU IKEBUKUROHONTEN, Tokyo Daimaru (Tokyo) | ||
| Overview |
You can even buy special tastes which are only sold in Tokyo such as Orange-cocktail taste, just 432 yen (4 dollars) for 4 pieces. |
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| URL | http://nestle.jp/brand/kit/chocolatory/ (Japanese only) |
| Since chocolate can be also exempted from tax if it meets certain conditions thanks to the revision of the tax-free system in Japan in autumn 2014, if you come to Tokyo from late January to mid-February, why not look for your favorite items and buy more chocolate? Valentine's Day is a big event in Tokyo and Japan in late winter. Come, join this "sweet event," and find nice chocolate!
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| Tokyo's Concept Cafe |
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ARTNIA
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| Appearance (left) & Cafe Area (right) |
ARTNIA is an official shop and cafe of SQEX in Shinjuku and sells goods focused on popular characters of the company's games. The egg-like dome building is eye-catching. It is divided into three areas: Cafe & Bar Area, Fancy Area, and Luxury Area. Cafe & Bar Area is a relaxing space decorated with the company's character goods. It can be used as a usual cafe in the daytime and bar service starts from 5 p.m. Here you can have dishes that are decorated with Square Enix characters, such as this pancake (right photo). At Fancy Area, a variety of goods are on display and you can find nice souvenirs here. Indulge in the SQEX's world! |
| Website | http://www.jp.square-enix.com/artnia/en/information.html |
|---|---|
| Address | Shinjuku Eastside Square 1F, 6-27-30, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
| Map | Map |
| Open | 11:00-22:00 (last call for food 21:00, for drink 21:30) |
| Close | Not fixed |
| Event Information |
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Tokyo's Spring Full of Pink Blossoms - Cherry Blossom Events
Cherry blossom is one of the most important natural features that make Japanese people have a keen sense of season. Here are some popular areas in Tokyo where you can enjoy cherry blossoms during the short, two weeks!
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Many events take place in venues such as the Chidorigafuchi moats, Yasukuni-jinja Shrine and Kanda-jinja Shrine, where are famous cherry blossom spots. The blossoms are lit up in the evening and create a romantic atmosphere. In the daytime, You can enjoy seeing the pink flowers from boats. As the boat riding time is extended into the night, you can also enjoy a fascinating night riding. |
| Map | Map |
|---|---|
| Date | From late March to early April, 2015 (variable depending on the flower conditions) |
About 800 someiyoshino cherry trees bloom along the 3.8 km (about 2.35 miles) from O-hashi Bridge to Taiko-bashi Bridge on both sides of the Meguro River in spring. You can enjoy the lovely flowers in a quiet atmosphere here while seeing the reflection on the water. The area from Tenjin-bashi Bridge to Horai-bashi Bridge is lit up by paper lanterns and the night view is fascinating, too. It is home to unique, stylish shops, so shopping here is also enjoyable. |
| Website | http://meguro-kanko.com/sakura.html (Japanese only) |
|---|---|
| Map | Map |
| Date | From late March to early April, 2015 (variable depending on the flower conditions) |
There are about 800 cherry trees in Ueno Park which make the area well known as a splendid cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo. Ueno Park is even selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing places in Japan. Traditional music and dance performances at Kiyomizu Kannondo, Plant Fair, and Open-air Antique Fair are also held during the period of the festival. |
| Website | http://www.city.taito.lg.jp/index/event/kanko/uenosakuramatsuri.html |
|---|---|
| Map | Map |
| Date | From late March to early April, 2015 (variable depending on the flower conditions) |
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For more information about Cherry Blossom Events |
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List of events and festivals Go to our website & find more exciting events and festivals. |
| No Negative Impact on Our Health: Updated Radiation-related |
Radiation dose after touring Tokyo for one day (July 9, 2012) Report on field measurements
by Japan Tourism Agency Measurements results of Environmental radiation levels in Tokyo by Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health Information on the Great East Japan Earthquake by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare |
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 To access the previous edition of e-Tokyo Today and our printed newsletter, Tokyo Today, please visit: e-Tokyo Today back number. If at any time you wish to stop receiving our emails, Please email to news@tcvb.or.jp. Issued by: Tourism Division, Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Planning / Editing: Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau If you want to reprint the articles, please contact us. E-mail: news@tcvb.or.jp Tel: +81-3-5579-2683 Fax: +81-3-5579-2685 |
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