Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
Visiting the Sailor Moon Museum in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan! Pretty Guardian manga anime exhibition, fashion, tickets.
My purple evil queen and I were reunited at last in Japan… and sashayed our way through the Sailor Moon Museum in Roppongi, Tokyo!
Let Yukiro Dravarious and LC show you around the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon 30th anniversary exhibition, which is the largest one in history. The magic is taking place at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum until December 30: get tickets here while it remains open.
Three decades ago, Japanese manga artist Naoko Takeuchi created the Sailor Moon comic series — and it took off with anime adaptations, merchandise and millions of fans worldwide. To commemorate “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon,” Roppongi Museum put together the largest ever retrospective with a variety of colorful exhibits.
Yukiro and I grew up watching the 1990s Sailor Moon cartoons, and of course, we love the evil characters the most!
My visit to Japan’s Sailor Moon museum inspired me to dress as Wicked Lady (also known as “Black Lady”) for Halloween. The pink haired mistress of the dark is the grown up bad girl version of Chibiusa, Usagi and Mamoru’s daughter. (I had all the cosplay fashion items in my closet already, and put my hair into space buns with an upside-down black crescent moon on the forehead!)
Located in Roppongi Museum, Japan’s biggest ever Sailor Moon exhibition debuted earlier this year. It is only running til Dec 30, 2022, so be sure to get advance tickets from the Sailor Moon museum site.
“Moon Crystal Power Make Up!” Yukiro and I practiced our sailor scout poses beneath the banner of Sailor Moon and her main posse: Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. (Photos by Joey Wong)
The museum tickets have timed entry, so be sure to arrive before your slot. When you walk into the first hall, you’ll encounter a large immersive screen, as well as recreations of the wands used by the characters.
The famous theme song plays, and the characters display their planetary powers on-screen. You know how it goes… “Fighting evil by Moonlight! … Sailor Mars! Sailor Jupiter!”
Looks like Serena / Usagi is about to get her moon crystal snatched by a fabulous purple villain! (For the occasion, I wore a princess dress from Manon Tokyo boutique in Shibuya 109, and put my hair in Sailor Moon “space buns” — aka dumpling or meatball head “odango.”)
Super-fans will recognize the pink wand as an exquisite recreation of the Spiral Heart Moon Rod from season 3.
The Sailor Prism Theater used moving images and laser effects on the big screen to bring the universe of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon to life.
Then, we entered a room that displayed original drawings from the manga series — using a shimmering holographic effect! As we walked through, these famous scenes took on a different light.
The silver creates a rainbow refraction above the evil Koan, the youngest Spectre Sister of the Black Moon Clan.
The holographic manga panels were a unique way to tell the 30-year-long history of Sailor Moon.
The next room was as fabulously decorated in rainbow gradients. The walls show original drawings as well as video clips from the various Sailor Moon movies.
There have been many Sailor Moon anime and films, and it was fascinating to see the evolution of the character design over the decades.
Isn’t it obvious why we love the evil lady characters the most?
I want to dress up as Koan as well, maybe next Halloween…
Riveted by the original storyboards and sketches for the TV shows and movies.
Sailor Moon and her friends / enemies are known for their transcendent outfits, so of course there were fashion displays at the Tokyo museum. Here’s a wedding dress and suit for the Silver Millennium, worn by Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion (the previous incarnations of Usagi and Mamoru / Tuxedo Mask).
Designers created ballgowns inspired by Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. Love the rainbow gown with moon symbols, and the prom version of her seifuku sailor school uniform.
Naoko Takeuchi said she created the series to celebrate strong women and their close friendships — which is certainly part of what draws so many fans to the manga and anime.
These glass cases showed rare SM collections including Bandai figurines, game consoles, and plush toys.
There are endless collectibles based on Sailor Moon, like Luna and Artemis cat pillows… I have some clothing items myself.
Did you watch or read Sailor Moon growing up? And do you own any collectibles?
Love how the museum design makes you feel as if you’re part of the series.
In the next room, we fawned over tiny costumes used in the various theatrical musicals inspired by Sailor Moon over the years.
Some of the outfits were from a Sailor Moon Takarazuka, or performance by an all-female musical theatre troupe. The costumes are intricately designed, using real feathers…
… and fine materials, as you can see from this choker detail.
Another room showed how various artists depicted Sailor Moon characters and scenes in their own style. Many have been greatly inspired by the storylines.
Luxury shoe designer Jimmy Choo did a version of Sailor Moon’s red high-heeled boots.
Fittingly, the experience ends by exiting the Door of Space and Time (no need for a space-time key to get past the hanging fringe). I wore a dress from Shibuya 109’s Manon Tokyo store and styled my hair in a tribute to Serena / Usagi.
But you can’t leave without browsing the exclusive Sailor Moon merchandise at the museum gift shop!
While you can find Sailor Moon merch all over Japan, the Roppongi Museum sells limited edition items only available here.
From buttons to cookies and stationery, there’s something for every fan.
How about a chibi plush toy to remember the occasion?
Luna is one of the most popular characters, so there were many items with the black cat on it.
Even the restroom signs match the theme of the temporary exhibit.
Finally, we stepped into the Sailor Moon Museum café for a themed meal. This pink cake is decorated to look like the Cosmic Heart Compact.
The theme restaurant dishes include omelette rice with an image of Sailor Moon on the side.
Of course, there’s a lot of pink and cuteness, including on the lattes.
Sailor Moon burger slider, anyone? (The pop up cafe and museum are only running til Dec 30, but there are often other SM theme restaurants or food items available in Japan. And there’s a permanent Sailor Moon boutique at LaForet Harajuku; photos soon.)
I’ve been dreaming of visiting the Sailor Moon Museum since it opened earlier in 2022 — thank you to the press team for inviting us! Be sure to get tickets and check it out before it closes at the very end of the year. (Address: Roppongi Museum, 5 Chome-6-20 Roppongi, Tokyo.)
It was a cosmic injustice for Yukiro and I to be separated over the past few years due to The Collapse… We made the most of my time in Tokyo, and have much more to share from our subculture adventures.
(Voguing in front of “Polychromatic Skin – Gender Wall,” a Roppongi mural by Sebastian Masuda of Kawaii Monster Cafe fame. This work expresses gender in many colors through a diverse range of materials.)
Til then, you can see a feature about us in Tokyo Cheapo’s article about the Goth Scene (Then and Now), as well as my Metropolis Magazine guide to Japan Halloween spots. And add us on socials @lacarmina and @dravarious for more of our evil shenanigans.
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Tokyo Family Stays review: Japan short-term apartment & home rentals! Japanese Halloween food, costumes, decor.
It’s time to dance… because as of October 11, Japan will fully open to tourism! That means travelers will be able to visit Japan without a required visa, tests (if they’re 3x vax), or mandatory tours/bookings. Simply show your passport, and you’re in.
I was in fortunate to be in Japan in August / September on a business visa. working on a Tohoku journalism project. It was my first time back in three years, and I have so much to share with you…
Let’s start with two ways to get the best possible travel experience in Japan: book a Tokyo Family Stays rental apartment / house, and rent a pocket WiFi from eConnect Japan!
And since it’s October, I’ll show you photos of the cute Halloween goods I found in Tokyo. Read on for a lot of spooky-cuteness, like Hello Kitty and Cinnamonroll dressed as witches and ghosts.
Since I was traveling for a month with photographer Joey Wong, we wanted to share a larger apartment or home rental rather than a tiny hotel. We’re delighted to have discovered Tokyo Family Stays, as they have a number of well-maintained properties geared for long-term stays.
We stayed at Pencil House, located in Hatsudai (one stop from Shinjuku station). Although the facade measures only 2.5 m wide (!!), the sleek black Pencil spans three floors, and is ingeniously designed for comfort.
Believe it or not, the Japanese compact home contains three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, laundry, living and dining room, and balcony! Here’s what the ground floor looks like: the hallway is tiny but there’s a bedroom in the back, and laundry / bath facilities on the sides.
The Pencil House was in a quiet and photogenic neighborhood, but only a few minutes walk away from convenience stores, Hatsudai Station, and Coco Ichiban Curry (we went several times… trust us, this Japanese curry is addictive!)
Tokyo Family Stays stood out for their personalized hospitality and excellent communication. Our host Trace Northcott welcomed us herself when we arrived, and made sure we had everything we needed.
You can tell that I felt right at home, in the cozy and modern space… (Wearing a Cruella black and white pearl necklace by Lily Streeter Jewelry.)
Each of their rental properties includes elements of Japanese decor, for a localized feeling. (Loved the kimono on the wall, and traditional dolls in the spiral stairway.) And the rooms are well-equipped with AC, including all the bedrooms… a must during the hot summers!
Tokyo Family Stays is a great choice for families or remote workers. We had fast WiFi, and plenty of space for laptop work. As Joey put it: “Staying in a house was much more suitable for me, especially as I needed to have space to work remotely and necessities like a laundry machine due to my longer stay.”
The house is professionally cleaned after each guest, and well-stocked with every amenity you can think of. The hosts put much more care and attention into details than regular Airbnbs that I’ve experienced.
Tokyo Family Stays has multiple properties of different sizes, including studio apartments and homes for large groups. The locations are terrific — there’s even a rental in Harajuku, which is where I got these cyber-samurai pants (at AC DC Rag)!
We enjoyed the neighborhood feel of the Hatsudai house, and conveniences such as a 24-hour supermarket down the street. (My purple-pink cyber Goth hair by Katya at Kore Salon in downtown Vancouver, BC.)
Japanese hotels are notoriously cramped, and not ideal for remote work or long-term stays. Tokyo Family Stays is the way to go, especially if you’re traveling with friends or relatives.
Now that Japan will re-open for tourism on Oct 11, we encourage you to keep TokyoFamilyStays.com in mind as your home away from home.
Here’s another travel tip for you. Your cell phone and data plan likely won’t work in Japan, so you’ll need access to reliable Internet while you’re on the go, or working remotely.
My recommendation: get a pocket WiFi from eConnect Japan! This compact, portable WiFi router works as a mobile hotspot and lets you access high-speed internet with up to 10 devices simultaneously. Simply turn it on and connect your device, and you’re good to go.
eConnect’s pocket WiFi made my Japan trip so much easier — I could instant message friends to meet up, and use Google Maps to figure out trains and directions.
eConnect can mail the portable WiFi to your address in Japan — so you’ll have it as soon as you check into your accommodations. The lightweight device delivers safe and high-speed 4G/LTE, and the battery charge lasts all day.
The rental came with a free extra mobile battery, as well as a wall / USB charger and protective case.
eConnect sells prepaid SIM cards as well, and offers both pick up and delivery options to airports, hotels, residences and post offices in Japan. They included a handy prepaid envelope for returns: all I had to do was put in the items, seal the envelope, and drop it off at a postbox (or ask your hotel front desk to mail it for you).
Their pocket WiFi packages include various amounts of GB depending on your needs (we had the Monster: 100 GB!), and prices start at ¥237/day.
If you’re looking for a reliable and trusted pocket WiFi service in Tokyo or other Japanese cities, we recommend connecting with eConnect Japan.
It felt so good to be back in Japan… being here always inspires me to take photos. I got to try out my Art Tributes camera strap for the first time.
The design features Japanese cranes in a classic print, and has my custom-embroidered initials in gold!
The camera strap fits any camera, and is beautifully constructed as you can see from the fabric and stitching. Art Tributes also makes customizable guitar and bag straps in a variety of fetching colors and patterns.
Since it’s spooky season, I thought I’d wrap up with photos of cute Halloween items now found throughout Japan. The illustrations and packaging are always hauntingly adorable.
You can find almost anything Halloween-themed in Tokyo right now… including these smiling pumpkin obi, or kimono belts!
Krispy Kreme puts out a Halloween donut collection each year. This time around, the donuts include a black cat with whiskers, pumpkin, spiderweb, and eyeball.
In Japan, you don’t get a ghost… you get a geist. And this is not a pumpkin, it’s a kabocha! I found these funny inflatables at the infamous Don Quixote (the Don Don Don Don theme song is still stuck in my head).
Donki’s food section includes a number of Halloween sweets and treats. I was tempted to get these vampiric onigiri seasonings. (Don Quixote offers tax free shopping, so bring your passport and pay at the special counter.)
I love to browse the food halls of department stores, as they are loaded with Halloween-themed snacks like these at this time of year.
A quintessentially Japanese “kawaii” interpretation of witches, ghost, pumpkins and black cats.
How creative: an advent calendar for Halloween, with themed chocolates in every window.
I was drawn to the dark purple witchery of these cigar biscuits with moon and bats.
Halloween sweets from department store food halls are a great fit for your Japanese Goth friends.
I was tempted to get a tin of Hello Kitty nori chips, in the sour plum flavor.
The store Loft also stocks decorations, candies and snacks for All Hallows Eve.
And you can’t miss out on the 100 yen (hyaku-en) dollar stores such as Daiso, Seria, and Can Do.
Each contains racks of Halloween decor, stickers, masks, cat outfits, you name it… at low, low prices.
How “fun fun” is the meh-face on the emo pumpkin!
The Caramel Ghost House sells boxes of sweet that are oozing with caramelization (or ectoplasm?)
I’m always impressed by the creative Halloween designs in Japan, such as the haunted house windows cut-outs.
And there are plenty of devilish things to be found, such as these red horns and pitchfork from Claire’s.
Speaking of the devil… my new book, The Little Book of Satanism (order here), comes out on Oct 25 — right before Halloween!
Description: “La Carmina’s guidebook explains how Satanism developed in the context of social history, while debunking lurid conspiracy theories about serial killers and ritual abuse. Discover the fascinating history and culture of Satanism through the ages, and learn why many Satanists today stand up for free inquiry and personal liberty.”
I’ve been busy doing tons of press for the book. Here’s a sampling of interviews and book reviews so far:
La Carmina on “The Little Book of Satanism” for USA Wire
OnlySky article on Satanism in Japan
Book review of The Little Book of Satanism
Podcast with Stephen Bradford Long, Sacred Tension: The Ancient Roots of Modern Satanism
The Little Book of Satanism is available worldwide, and can be pre-ordered now. You can Google the book title and your country to find it nearby — or check out the links to order it here, from a variety of retailers.
My Satanic guidebook comes out in both paperback and digital on 10.25. Thank you for the support, and happy Halloween!
LA CARMINA
