I’ve been meaning to mention the new advertising campaign for Nissin’s Cup Noodle that includes art (and some cool animated TV commercials) by Katsuhiro Otomo, and this post (and the picture you see here) by Digiki reminded me of it. I first noticed it about a week ago in a few stations, and this “Freedom Project” that gets mentioned has its own site, which has more info, as well as streams of the TV CMs.

• Nakata.net Cafe
• Pecha Kucha

You can read all of my Gridskipper posts here (or even subscribe to a feed).

Marc Jacobs introduced a yakata collection. Link via Digiki.

Nothing to do during Golden Week? Digiki and SoccerBoy have got you covered!

And for some reason, my feed to Digiki’s blog never showed the final post that revealed a change to his site. Here’s the new address.

I had a chance to check out last night’s edition of the Pecha Kucha monthly event at SuperDeluxe, and was happy to see that they’ve finally launched a website — and a nice one by the way, brought to you by the fine folks at IMG SRC, who are also behind PingMag — for the event. It’s also nice to see the event really take off around the world, as plenty of cities are already on board, with more to come.

Also, I’m currently working on a cover story for METROPOLIS on the Pecha Kucha phenomenon, and I’d love to hear from you, anyone who has attended in the past, and get your take on the event. Feel free to send thoughts, experiences, and any comment you have, as it would certainly help me with the piece.

Oh, and I love that next month’s edition takes place on my birthday, May 31!

Charles & Marie are giving you another chance to get the original Michael Young-designed watch (without the light) I’m now sporting, at a sales price of $50. You have the next 24 hours to get one, and remember, they do take international orders now.

A new issue of AXIS (121) is out, sporting a cover interview with Kashiwa Sato, and a feature that takes a look at design currents in Brazil and India.

I don’t really know what to make of this:

The post also mentions that the series is going to get released in North America by Viz (I’ve read the scanlations). While on the subject of Urasawa, I recently got a chance to read PLUTO (what has been released so far), his retelling of an Astro Boy storyline, and it’s blown me away — truly amazing work. He continues to be my very favorite mangaka working today.

Cafe Pause is currently hosting an exhibition by a group of Canadian Natives from Yukon. For those familiar with the cafe, the entire display case is filled with pieces, and a few videos are also being projected throughout the day — mostly documentaries, some covering the participants, and I believe they’ll be playing with sound at night. The exhibition will stay at the cafe until Sunday (April 30), with a party on Thursday night (April 27) where you’ll be able to interact and talk with the artists — all drinks and snacks will be at 500 yen.

This month’s edition of my “On Design” column for THE JAPAN TIMES was in today’s paper, and can be read online here (free registration required after a week). It covers some kitchen-oriented Amadana products, the upcoming Cyclone Cleaner from METAPHYS, Jurgen Lehl‘s collection of stools, and some anniversary items from KOKUYO.

At the same spot where Microsoft had its Xbox 360 Cafe in Aoyama earlier this year, the Nakata.net Cafe concept sees a return just in time (well, with a bit of head start) for the World Cup. It opened today, and will stay open until the end of the event. With giant screens to watch matches, expect the place to be packed this coming June.

The Real Tokyo Estate project has released a book, and from REALTOKYO’s description, it sounds like it could make for an interesting read.

Time for this year’s edition of the Image Forum Festival.

It takes place at Park Tower Hall in Shinjuku from April 30 to May 7. More info at the official festival site.

• The latest issue of BRUTUS (592) invites us on a trip out to the mountains, with a report that features stunning photography (some of it was part of a recent exhibition at the Speak For Gallery in Daikanyama) that really makes you want to get out of the city as quickly as possible and get a bit of fresh air. I know that for me, it’s been quite a while since I’ve gone trekking in the mountains with Yuko, and I think we’re way due.
• The new PEN (174) celebrates “Life with Bike,” and is pretty much a love embrace to everything that involves the bicycle, from famous brands, makers, riders, even including some suggested bike courses in Tokyo, with recommended cafe stops! Again, this issue reminded me of how I need to get on a bike again, and it’s a funny coincidence since I’ve been eyeing a particular bike at Muji of late…
• PAPER SKY (17) takes us on a tour of Greece with their “Real Greece A to Z” guide. Also, there’s a mention of a new DVD that compiles episodes of the PAPER SKY TV show.
• This month, GIRLIE (Vol. 09) devotes most of its pages to the phenomenon that is the Nintendo DS game DOUBUTSU NO MORI (ANIMAL CROSSING). Lots of tips on how to get great accessories in the game, and lists of favorite characters. They also look at the recent manga boom, focusing on the many TV adaptations that are currently airing (or about to air).

Well, it’s official, today marked the official opening of the new IKEA Funabashi store. And here’s a tidbit about IKEA’s future plans in Japan:

What about online sales?