"Royal Oak Hotel Spa & Gardens" in Kayanoura, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is offering a "Horror Plate," an assortment of horror-themed cakes and other sweets until October 31. The plate includes jelly in which eyeballs appear to float in a glass, a "Brain Cupcake," which is decorated with whip cream...

Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto, in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, and Century Royal Hotel, in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, started a joint project under the theme "Revolving Restaurants" on September 1. Cuisine combining ingredients local to each hotel are offered during the first event. Many revolving observatories and restaurants were built all over...

It was revealed by August 27 that the Ayagasa Hoko float from Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, which participates in the early procession of the Gion Festival, will be unveiled in Portland, Oregon, USA, this September. The Gion Festival is one of Japan's three major festivals. This will be the first time...

A baby mandrill was born at Kyoto City Zoo in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, on August 25. Its adorable appearance is melting visitors' hearts. It is the fifth child of father "Benkei" and mother "One," following their male child "Yoshitsune," born last July. The birth was confirmed that morning. The baby...

"Apple Kyoto," a directly-managed store of Apple Inc., a major US-based IT Company, opened in the commercial facility "Kyoto Zero Gate" in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, on August 25. It is the ninth directly-managed store in Japan, and also the second one in the Kansai region, following one in Shinsaibashi, Osaka...

"Penguin Highway," an anime about a young boy's mysterious summer adventures, opened at theaters across Japan on Aug. 17. "I wanted to draw with all my passion a story about a pure and earnest young boy," said 30-year-old director Hiroyasu Ishida of his decision to make an anime adaptation of...

The special exhibition "Geiko-Maiko no Yosooi-ten," titled "Costumes, Items and Cultures of Geiko and Maiko" in English, introduces traditional crafts worn by Geiko and Maiko. It is being held at Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, Fureaikan, in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. Items actually used in the five entertainment quarters of Kyoto...