From 25 March to 6 April 2025, Kai Nagato Onsen Ryokan is offering a “Spring Stay” to enjoy the murmur of the Onshin River, which heralds the arrival of spring, and the cherry blossoms. In spring, the rows of cherry blossom trees along the Onshin River, which flows in front of Kai Nagato, are in full bloom, adding colour to the hot spring resort. This plan allows you to enjoy the rows of cherry blossom trees, which have attracted many tourists to the area, to your heart’s content. This plan offers guests a special seat on the Kawadoko Terrace before dinner so that they can enjoy the cherry blossoms at any time during their stay.

From Saturday 1 February to Thursday 27 March 2025, the Keio Plaza Hotel will host ‘Hinamatsuri at the Hotel – Setsubuku Cuisine Served with Arita Porcelain and Flowery Hina Furnishings’, featuring approximately 5,000 vines and other decorations. This is the 24th year of the Hinamatsuri event, which focuses on hanging ornaments.

Meiji Kinenkan’s confectionery brand ‘Kanomi no Mori’ is now available at Odakyu Noborito Station. Please take a look at the varied collection, including piece cakes, decorative cakes and other cakes perfect for Christmas, as well as standard popular sweets.

December sees the arrival of a number of Christmas breads. The Snowman with his cute smiling face is a sweet loaf with two different flavours: pudding cream and chocolate cream. It is a heartwarming treat with flavours that both children and adults can enjoy.

Also back this year is the popular Japanese Stollen, which was a big hit last year. This is a special cake that can only be tasted at Kimuraya, using Japanese-inspired ingredients such as persimmons, figs and koshi-an (sweet bean paste). Please take this opportunity to try Kimuraya’s limited edition Christmas bread.

The Hiroshima Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition “ZIPANGU: Contemporary Artists Who Defined the Heisei Era” (November 2, 2024 – December 22, 2024). This showcase brings together works by some of the most prominent figures in Japan’s contemporary art scene, including Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Makoto Aida, Yoshitomo Nara, Chiharu Shiota, Izumi Kato, Akira Yamaguchi, and Miwa Komatsu. The exhibition has already garnered significant attention, exceeding 10,000 visitors.

HYAKKEI covered the dialogue between contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and Sueo Mizuma, the curator of this exhibition, held at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima. We also conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Mizuma.

The discussions centered on the aspirations behind the ZIPANGU exhibition and offered forward-looking insights, not only into Japan’s art world but also into the rediscovery of value within Japanese culture by its people.